Defender Jerry Lalrinzuala joins East Bengal on one-year deal

The left-back has made nine appearances for India.

Emami East Bengal have roped in left-back Jerry Lalrinzuala on a short-term contract for the upcoming season, Khel Now can confirm. A source close to the development informed Khel Now, "The 24-year-old defender has signed a one-year contract with the club. He has also completed his medicals."

The left-back joins them as a free agent after having left Chennaiyin FC after the end of last season. The deal was done on the day when the Red & Gold Brigade confirmed their partnership with Emami as their investor. The Kolkata-based tycoons are now determined to build a strong squad for the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season.

About the Player

Jerry is an India international who has made nine appearances for the Blue Tigers. He spent the majority of his professional career with Chennaiyin FC, facing a lot of ups and downs. The 24-year-old joined the Marina Machans in 2016 after graduating from the AIFF Elite Academy.

Lalrinzula made 13 appearances for Chennaiyin in his debut season, scoring one goal. His bright performances helped him win the ISL Emerging Player of the Year award in 2016.

He was loaned to DSK Shivajians for the 2016/17 season, making 18 appearances for them in the I-League. He won the I-League Emerging Player of the Season during that loan spell too. After that, the left-back became an integral part of the Chennaiyin backline going forward.

Jerry Lalrinzuala was an integral part of the Chennaiyin side that won the ISL in the 2017/18 season. After his brilliant performance in the final against Bengaluru FC, he won the Emerging Player of the Year award for the match.

Lalrinzuala continued to be a constant in the Chennaiyin side for the seasons to come. Over the last three campaigns, he made 51 appearances for them in the ISL. But, with the Marina Machans wanting a change in identity, they let him go earlier this summer after a six-year spell.

Lalrinzuala has also achieved success in national colours. He was part of the Indian side that won the Intercontinental Cup in 2017 and 2018. But, his last international appearance came way back in 2019.

Emami East Bengal’s preperations for 2022/23 season

Despite uncertainty around their investors situation, the Red & Gold Brigade have been active in the transfer market. They have also roped in former India manager Stephen Constantine as their head coach for the 2022/23 season.

Even before their agreement with Emami was signed, East Bengal agreed on deals with a few notable players. Former FC Goa defender Ivan Gonzalez has agreed a pre-contract with them, as have Mobashir Rahman and Mohammed Rakip.

These players should all be officially signed now with the investor issue resolved. They are also set to pay ₹10 lakhs for the signing of Aniket Jadhav from Hyderabad FC. Meanwhile, young players like Nabi Hussain Khan, Aditya Patra, Suryash Jaiswal and former academy graduate Dip Saha have all been roped in ahead of the new season.