Kerala Blasters hand long-term extension to Gotimayum Muktasana

The 20-year-old has signed a four-year extension with the option for another year.

Indian Super League (ISL) outfit Kerala Blasters have handed a long-term contract extension to Gotimayum Muktasana, Khel Now can confirm. The midfielder will now remain with Blasters till the end of the 2023-24 season, with an option for the club to extend the term by an additional year.

"Muktasana is a part of Kerala Blasters' long-term plans and was offered a 4+1-year extension during this season," a source close to the developments informed Khel Now. We also understand that the player has accepted the extension and signed the new contract.

The 20-year-old began his career at I-League side NEROCA FC's junior teams and in 2018 moved to Kerala Blasters. At the Kochi-based club, he initially played for their U-18 side before getting promoted to the Reserves team in 2019. In the season that followed, Muktasana played in the Kerala Premier League (KPL) and the Second Division League. Ahead of the recently concluded 2020-21 ISL season, he was promoted to their senior team as well.

Muktasana was hence a part of the Kerala Blasters squad that travelled to the bio-bubble in Goa for the ISL. Although he could not make a single appearance in the league, he was given the opportunity to regularly train with the other senior players in the side. After the conclusion of the ISL, he returned to the Reserves team and is now plying his trade in the ongoing KPL 2020-21. The side which is being coached by former FC Kerala head coach TG Purushothaman secured their first win of the season on Sunday, when they beat Golden Threads 1-0 in the state league.

Primarily a defensive midfielder, Gotimayum Muktasana can also play in central midfield or as a No.10. Over the past few months, Kerala Blasters have signed and offered extensions to most of their young players, making it clear that they are building a team for the long term. Sahal Abdul Samad and Rahul KP are the two KBFC players who have deals till 2025, while others like Jeakson Singh, Sandeep Singh, Nishu Kumar, Lalthathanga Khawlhring (Puitea) are also on similar long-term contracts.

The two-time ISL finalists did not have a satisfactory campaign in the 2020-21 season, finishing at tenth place on the points table. They have now kick-started their work on team-building ahead of the next season and have already roped in former FIFA U-17 World Cup starlet Sanjeev Stalin.