SC East Bengal sign Naorem Mahesh, retains Ankit Mukherjee

Both players penned one-year-deals with the club - till May 2022.

SC East Bengal have acquired the services of promising forward Naorem Mahesh Singh on a season-long loan deal from Kerala Blasters, while promising right-back Ankit Mukherjee extended his stay at the club. Mukherjee pen-to-paper on another one-year deal that will keep him at the club till the end of the 2021-22 season.

The Red & Gold Brigade confirmed both deals on Saturday.

Naorem Mahesh, 22, played for Sudeva Delhi FC in the I-League last season, making 14 appearances after he was loaned out by Kerala Blasters.

[KH_ADWORDS type="4" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]

“This is a big opportunity for me. I have heard so much about East Bengal growing up. It is one of the biggest clubs in Asia and I cannot wait to put on the red and gold shirt and make the fans happy,” he said.

“I will give my best everyday in training and try to impress the gaffer (Robbie Fowler). Being a forward myself, I am also looking forward to learning so much from him. He is such a legend and that only adds to the motivation,” he added.

Naorem Mahesh began his career in his home state of Manipur with Birchandra Memorial Sporting Club. He went on to join the youth side of Shillong Lajong FC and played for them in the Shillong Premier League. Naorem was promoted to the senior team ahead to the 2018–19 season and made his debut against Aizawl FC in the I- League. He netted a brace as Shillong Lajong won 2–1.

The Manipur-born footballer signed for Kerala Blasters FC ahead of the 2020-21 ISL season before he was sent to Sudeva on loan in November last year.

Ankit Mukherjee joined SC East Bengal from ATK Mohun Bagan in the January transfer window last season, making 12 appearances for the red and gold brigade.

“Playing for a club like East Bengal is always a matter of great pride. I was so happy when I joined the team last January, and the feeling is no different now. I want to improve every single day and that will be my aim this season. I want to help the club reach greater heights and make the fans happy,” he said.

[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News |ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

“I loved working under Robbie Fowler (head coach) last season and I am so looking forward to reuniting with the coaching team this time. They helped me a lot with the technical aspects of the game, and I strongly believe I will only get better going forward,” added the 25-year old.

Ankit Mukherjee started his youth career at East Bengal and went on to feature for Kolkata- based clubs like Aryan FC and Mohammedan SC before joining ATK FC ahead of the 2018-19 ISL season.

The city-based footballer made his ISL debut against FC Pune City and went on to make 10 appearances for the side over the course of two seasons.

SC East Bengal, coached by Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler, took part in their maiden ISL campaign last time, finishing in ninth place.

For more football updates, follow Khel Now on Twitter, Instagram and join our community on Telegram.