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FC Goa: Three winter signings that made an impact

Published at :January 27, 2021 at 5:50 PM
Modified at :February 1, 2021 at 5:19 PM
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AjayAnil Kumar


Over the years, the Gaurs have made some brilliant signings in the mid-season transfer window.

A busy 2021 lies ahead for Juan Ferrando, with the AFC Champions League appointments coming in April to add to the tightly-packed Indian Super League (ISL) schedule. With one foreign slot free, FC Goa would be looking to add further talent to their ranks, after performing a minor coup by bringing in homeboy Adil Khan and former India U-17 goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem to the club.

With the transfer window nearing its end, FC Goa fans can trust their club’s fundamental approach to signings that has turned up some absolute gems, especially during in mid-season. Hence, we take a look at the top three winter signings made by the club.

3. Hugo Boumous

https://youtu.be/NJWCx2A5408
WATCH: ISL 2019-20 All Goals & Assists: Hugo Boumous

Humo Boumous might not just be FC Goa’s best-ever winter signing, but also the best-ever in ISL history. The French-Moroccan talisman has been easily one of Goa’s most influential players since coming to the club in February of 2018, vowing the Gaurs' faithful with his mazy runs and precise passes.

His link-up with Ferran Corominas under Sergio Lobera was ISL football at its finest and his performances even forced the Spaniard to bench his long-time trusted midfielder Edu Bedia. Boumous registered two goals and two assists in the second half of the 2017-18 season, before registering three goals and five assists in his first full season. His true potential finally came to fruition in the 2019-20 campaign, when he became the first player in ISL history to register 10 goals and 10 assists in a single term.

His performances earned him the Hero of the League award, becoming only the second FC Goa player to land that honour. Even though he plies his trade for Mumbai City now, his influence at Goa was undoubtedly substantial.

2. Naveen Kumar

Naveen Kumar’s ISL career is something of an enigma. The Punjab-born shot-stopper started his career with Pailan Arrows before making stops at Mohun Bagan, Lonestar Kashmir, Salgaocar FC and Dempo. He then suited up for FC Goa in the 2017-18 season, as the backup keeper to Laxmikant Kattimani. But, a flurry of mistakes from the first-choice custodian coupled with the lack of clean-sheets forced Sergio Lobera to thrust Naveen into the starting role.

He managed to keep two clean-sheets in seven games, bettering Kattimani’s record. He then moved to Kerala Blasters for the 2018-19 season, but the lack of solid reinforcements in goal forced the Goan management to bring him back on a loan deal in the winter window.

He played eight times for the Gaurs keeping four clean-sheets in five fewer matches than first-choice keeper Mohammad Nawaz. His performances pushed Lobera’s side into the final, where they fell to Bengaluru FC. Despite not featuring in the ISL in the 2019-20 season, Naveen’s presence was a constant push for young Nawaz.

His signing in the winter window pushed Goa from a fringe playoff team to a solid title contender.

1. Mohammed Nawaz

Another goalkeeper that came in the winter and proved to be a valuable asset for the Gaurs, Mohammed Nawaz had impressed several scouts when he was in consideration for the FIFA U-17 World Cup squad of 2017. He was signed by the Gaurs in the 2018 winter window and was assigned to the Reserves squad, which competed in the Second Division League.

He established himself before the departure of Naveen Kumar vaulted him into the main squad.  He started 13 games in the 2018-19 season before playing second-fiddle to Naveen Kumar in the second half of the campaign. The 2019-20 season was the breakout season for him, as he started all 20 matches and kept five clean-sheets. Goa ended the regular season top of the table and Nawaz marshalled his defence to finish with the third-least goals conceded.

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