Raynier Fernandes joins Odisha FC on loan from Mumbai City

The midfielder will be with the Juggernauts for the entirety of the 2022-23 season.

Odisha FC have announced that it has reached an agreement with Mumbai City FC for Raynier Fernandes, on a season-long loan deal.

Raynier Fernandes began his football career with Air India before representing Maharashtra in the Santosh Trophy. His breakthrough season came in 2017-18 with Mohun Bagan.

Fernandes made his ISL debut with Mumbai City FC in the 2018-19 campaign and was the breakout star for the Islanders, making 17 appearances in midfield. He had two goals and one assist to show for his efforts.

After making 16 appearances in ISL 2019-20, the India international signed a contract extension with the Islanders and went on to play 21 matches in their trophy-winning campaign in 2020-21.

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The central midfielder won the Sikkim Governors Gold Cup and finished runners-up in the Federation Cup, Calcutta Football League (CFL), and the I-League, all in his first year at Mohun Bagan in the 2016-17 season. He then returned to Mumbai to represent the Islanders in the Indian Super League (ISL) in 2018.

Brought in after the change of ends against Curacao, Raynier made his international debut at the 2019 King's Cup in Thailand and made a strong case for himself in the two games (Curacao and Thailand) and was also utilized in the 2022 World Cup and 2023 Asian Cup joint qualifier games against Afghanistan and Bangladesh including a start against the latter in the same year.

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Raynier went on to win the ISL trophy and the League Shield with the Islanders and secure a spot in the AFC Champions League group stage. He appeared five times for the Islanders in the ACL 2022, as Mumbai City completed a double over Iraq's Air Force club to finish second in their group. Overall, Raynier played 76 matches for Mumbai City FC across four seasons.

Odisha FC's preparations for ISL 2022/23

The Juggernauts have announced the return of Josep Gombau as their head coach for the upcoming season. They have also secured the return of centre-back Carlos Delgado, two years after he left. Odisha FC have also announced the arrival of Australian player Osama Malik. Domestically, the club have signed Michael Soosairaj, Narender Gahlot and made Nikhil Prabhu's loan move permanent.

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