Bengaluru FC sign Bidyananda and Robinson Singh

Published at :July 31, 2017 at 5:55 PM

Modified at :July 31, 2017 at 5:55 PM

The duo joins the Blues on two-year contracts ahead of ISL 4 and AFC Cup commitments...

Federation Cup champions Bengaluru FC have announced the signings of midfielders Bidyananda Singh and Robinson Singh on two-year contracts. While Bidyananda joins from ISL side Atletico De Kolkata, Robinson Singh joins the Blues from Mohun Bagan.

A defensive midfielder who progressed through the AIFF Academy ranks, Bidyananda joins the Blues after having represented India at the U13, U14, U15, U16 and U17 sides. The 19-year-old faced the Blues while playing for the AIFF U19s in a friendly in Bengaluru in 2015, a match in which he found the net.

“Bengaluru FC are the best in India and it is a big moment for me to sign for a club that wins trophies and competes with the best in Asia every season. I’m happy to get this opportunity and I’m looking forward to making the most of it,” said Bidyananda following the move.

Also read: How Bengaluru FC could lineup this season in AFC Cup and Indian Super League

Robinson, meanwhile, joins the Blues having represented Mohun Bagan for the last two seasons. The 20-year-old has also represented India at the U16, U17 and U19 levels. He was also part of the India team that took part in the AFC U23 Championship qualifiers in Doha, earlier in July.

“I’ve always believed that a move to BFC would be the best path for my career. In terms of the coaching, the professionalism and every aspect of football, this is the right place to be for any young footballer. This move is one that I’ve been working hard for, for a long time,” said Robinson.

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The Blues have established a reputation as one of the few Indian clubs known to give youngsters opportunities at the highest level since arriving on the scene a few years ago and these two signings are likely to reinforce that ethos, after what appeared to be a shift in policy ahead of their last I-League campaign that saw the arrival of several high profile names including star defender Sandesh Jhinghan.

Their previous top flight campaign was a bit of a disappointment though as they had to struggle for a top five finish for most of the season, having been defending champions. They now embark on a fresh start in the cash-rich ISL, hoping to re-assert their title credentials in Indian football's new avatar.