Mumbai City sign Lallianzuala Chhangte on three-year deal

The 24-year-old will join on an initial six-week loan deal for the remainder of the season.

Mumbai City have signed Lallianzuala Chhangte from Chennaiyin FC on a three-year deal, Khel Now can confirm. The winger has not started a game for the Marina Machans since December 22 against Kerala Blasters and is in the final six months of his contract at the club.

A source close to the developments informed Khel Now that Chhangte will initially join the defending ISL champions on a six-month loan deal, before completing the three-year move once his contract with Chennaiyin FC ends. "Lallianzuala Chhangte has signed a three-year deal with Mumbai City FC," said the source. Chhangte, who is in the final six months of his contract with Chennaiyin FC, has signed a pre-contract with the Islanders and will now move to Mumbai on an initial six-month loan.

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"Mumbai City will pay Chennaiyin FC an undisclosed fee for the six-month loan deal, the paperwork for which is currently getting finalized," the source added. Following the end of the loan deal, Chhangte will complete his three-year move to the Islanders.

Lallianzuala Chhangte this season

Most recently ahead of Chennaiyin FC's match against Bengaluru FC, coach Bozidar Bandovic had said he was not starting the 24-year-old forward due to tactical reasons. "The player's contract is coming to an end and it's up to the player to make a decision," Bandovic said.

Chhangte last started for Chennaiyin against Kerala Blasters on December 22 and has since been relegated to the bench. He has only managed 75 minutes of action in the last six matches and was an unused substitute in the 2-1 win over NorthEast United. This was after he had started each of Chennaiyin's first seven matches this season. The lack of gametime has also impacted his performance this season. In 12 matches in ISL 2021-22, Chhangte has only scored and assisted once each.

With 20 goals in 90 matches, Chhangte is the highest-scoring Indian midfielder in the Indian Super League. He is also the third-highest scoring Indian player in ISL history. With age by his side, Chhangte is sure to climb up the list and improve his goalscoring numbers.

Mumbai City FC in January Transfer Window

The Islanders have been one of the most active teams in the transfer market this winter transfer window. Chhangte will be the fourth player to join the club this month. Mumbai City have earlier signed Vinit Rai and Ravi Kumar on loan from Odisha FC as possible replacements for the injured Rowling Borges and Vikram Singh. They also brought in former Odisha FC forward Diego Mauricio after Igor Catatau left for his parent club. Coach Des Buckingham will hope the new signings help end Mumbai City FC's six-game winless run in ISL 2021-22.

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