Exclusive: Shillong Lajong re-sign former academy player to bolster attack

Langsning FC's ace forward Kitboklang Pale has prior experience of playing for the Reds.

After only a win and four consecutive defeats in their first five games of the I-League, Shillong Lajong have signed forward Kitboklang Pale to look for a solution to their scoring problems. Lajong have only scored six goals so far, despite creating several chances. Forward Mahesh Naorem and captain Samuel Lalmuanpuia have got their names on the score-sheet, whereas Sheen Sohktung is yet to open his tally, which has forced the club to bring back a prolific goalscorer in Kitbok.

Watch: Pale was an inspirational figure for Langsning FC

25-year-old Kitbok was with the Lajong U-16 team back in 2009 when he even broke into the first team and played in the Shillong Premier League. But his stint didn't last long and he was with injury for a spell of a couple of years. Known for his blistering pace and clinical left foot, the forward announced himself again when he played a crucial role in Langsning FC's 2017 Shillong Premier League victory.

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Pale went on to score seven goals in Langsning's 2nd Division I-League 2017-18 season, being the joint third highest scorer in the league. He continued his form in this year's SPL and scored six goals, including one against Lajong in the semi-final and the winning goal in the final.

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The addition of Kitbok to head coach Alison Kharsyntiew's squad will add more options in the attacking half. Though he has played on both the wings for Langsning, the player is more comfortable on the right, which might force the tactician to replace Samuel Kynshi in the starting XI.

Although, the club is yet to announce the signing yet and it is very unlikely to see him feature in the nex two home games for Lajong.