Chennaiyin FC rope in goalkeeper Debjit Majumder from SC East Bengal

The shot-stopper made 50 saves for SC East Bengal in ISL 2020-21.

Two-time Indian Super League (ISL) champions Chennaiyin FC (CFC) have signed goalkeeper Debjit Majumder ahead of the 2021-22 season. The 33-year-old experienced campaigner inked a multi-year deal with the club.

Debjit, who represented SC East Bengal in the last edition of the ISL, pulled off 50 saves including two clean sheets in his 15 appearances for the Red & Gold Brigade. With Debjit’s addition, CFC aims to have a strong combination of youth and experience on the goalline, with 24-year-old Vishal Kaith already an established part of the ranks. 

“We are happy to bring in Debjit (Majumder) to support Vishal between the sticks. He will also bring a wealth of knowledge and experience into the dressing room given his time at some top clubs in the country,” Chennaiyin FC co-owner Vita Dani said.

Hailing from a small town Hindmotor, situated near Kolkata, Debjit spent his early years at Uttarpara Netaji Brigade before representing top Indian clubs including East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, ATK and Mumbai City FC.

While sharing his excitement on joining CFC, Debjit said: “I’m really excited to play for Chennaiyin FC and keen to perform and contribute to bring its third title. Vishal (Kaith) is a good goalkeeper and he has been doing well for the last two seasons, so it will be healthy competition in the team. We both will look to bring good results for the team. I’m also looking forward to working closely with the youngsters in the club and passing on the experience.”

Debjit played a crucial role in ATK’s title-winning campaign in 2016 and his journey of four seasons with Mohun Bagan also includes two I-League trophies (2015 and 2020) as well as the Federation Cup in 2016.

Having lifted the ISL trophy in 2015 and 2017-18, the Marina Machans will be aiming for their third title when the new season kicks off later this year.

Chennaiyin FC’s pre-season preparations

One of the most successful teams in the ISL, Chennaiyin FC have lately had a rough patch. The Marina Machans reached the final in the 2019-20 season, but followed that up with a poor eighth-place finish in 2020-21.

Later, they also parted ways with their then-Chief Technical Officer (CTO) Amoy Ghoshal and then-head coach Csaba Laszlo. The two-time league champions are currently on the hunt for Laszlo’s replacement, having interviewed several high-profile names already.

Additionally, the club have also signed the likes of Narayan Das, Deepak Devrani and Salam Ranjan Singh, while Deepak Tangri shifted base to ATK Mohun Bagan. Chennaiyin FC have also handed contract extensions to Edwin Sydney Vanspaul, Rahim Ali, Reagan Singh and Brazilian midfielder Rafael Crivellaro.

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