NorthEast United sign Panagiotis Triadis from Greece and Shouvik Ghosh from Mumbai City

The Greek could fill in the hole left by Ghanian winger Augustine Okrah due to injury.

NorthEast United have announced the signing of Panagiotis Triadis and Shouvik Ghosh. Triadis is from Apollon Smyrnis FC, which competes in the Greek Super League, the highest club competition in Greece. This also marks the first record direct transfer of a player from the Super League to the Indian Super League ever. Meanwhile, Ghosh played for Mumbai City, and earlier had plied his trade with the Highlanders too.

He's fast but we managed to catch him! ????Let's welcome our newest recruit; the 26 year-old midfielder from Greece, Panagiotis Triadis! ????#WelcomeTriadis #StrongerTogether #8States1United pic.twitter.com/dLH7IR5vHe

— NorthEast United FC (@NEUtdFC) January 18, 2019

The German-born Greek professional Triadis had earlier represented the German national team in age group football, from U-15 to U-17 levels and later switched to play for Greece in the U-19 level. Triadis learnt the skills of the trade in 1. FC Naurod and then joined the youth system of BundesLiga side Eintracht Frankurt. German lower division side SV Wehen Wiesbaden gave him the opportunity to rise through the ranks in its youth academy and he finally made his first team debut for them in 2011.

We are happy to announce that we have signed Shouvik Ghosh! Having played for us in the 2016-17 season, Shouvik brings solidity and experience to the backline as we stake a claim for a playoff spot! ⚽????????#8States1United #StrongerTogether #WelcomeBackShouvik pic.twitter.com/QiLFfSkqs3

— NorthEast United FC (@NEUtdFC) January 18, 2019

Since then, the 26-year old attacking midfielder has played in the Greek Super League for Xanthi FC and Apollon Smyrnis FC, before deciding to join the ISL side in search of greener pastures. Triadis would provide a variety of options to the United think tank as he can ply his trade as a midfielder as well as an optional forward. He is known to be a natural left winger who can also fill the hole right behind the striker. The likes of Ogbeche and Gallego could be benefitted by his presence sharing some of their burden with the new man.

Ghosh's acquisition makes sense, as the club is aiming to reinforce their backline, considering that they could make it past the league stage. Ghosh is primarily a left-back but can play as a centre-back too.

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With NorthEast United positioned in the top-four portion of the table at the moment, the addition of a versatile midfielder comes as a bit of much-needed relief in the business end of the league as they aim to finish with a play-off berth for the first time in the league's history. The exclusion of Ghanian winger Augustine Okrah for the rest of the season following some serious injury had put the Highlanders in a spot of bother just before the winter break. Regarding his foreign acquisition, gaffer Eelco Schattorie told ISL, "Triadis is a player that can play on the wings and midfield. He has the German fighting spirit in him which is always welcome. Hope he hits the ground running as we are already short on time. We welcome him into our family and will support him all the way."

The NEUFC gaffer must be busy getting his newest signing to gel in with his philosophy as early as possible before his side gets back to action on January 26 against struggling title holders Chennaiyin FC in Guwahati.