With rumours abound that East Bengal FC will follow their rivals Mohun Bagan into the ISL, there is a hub of transfer activity at the club to support the rebuild.
The club’s sponsor – Quess Group who are on their way out had recently terminated all existing contracts by invoking the force majeure clause in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
While the club has ceased making announcements on social media for a while now due to the split with Quess, the transfers listed below have been confirmed by at least two well-known sources. Initial reports suggests that most of the players were signed on free transfers.
Here’s a look at them:
Gurtej Singh, Center-Back
- 30-year-old center-back signs from Hyderabad FC.
- Also played for FC Pune City, Bengaluru FC and Fateh Hyderabad among others.
- 13 appearances for Hyderabad FC in the 2019-20 ISL season.
Sehnaj Singh, Midfielder
- 26-year-old defensive midfielder joins from ISL Champions ATK.
- 8 appearances in the 2019-20 ISL season.
- Second stint with East Bengal FC.
- Over the course of his career, Sehnaj played for Mumbai FC, Mohun Bagan and Mumbai City FC among others.
Mohammed Irshad, Midfielder
- 25-year-old Kerala-based central midfielder joins from Gokula Kerala FC.
- 13 appearances in the 2019-20 I-League season.
- Can also play anywhere in defence.
- Captained GKFC in their title-winning Durand Cup run.
Novin Gurung, Fullback
- 22-year-old left back joins from Real Kashmir FC.
- Youth product of Namchi Sports Hostel, Sikkim.
- Spent three seasons with Shillong Lajong FC.
- Can play as a fullback on either side of the pitch.
Keegan Pereira, Fullback
- 32-year-old experienced left-back joins from Jamshedpur FC.
- 4 appearances in the 2019-20 ISL with Jamshedpur FC.
- Vast experience in both the ISL and I-League predominantly with Bengaluru FC, Mumbai FC, Salgaocar FC and ATK.
Sankar Roy, Goalkeeper
- 25-year-old custodian joins from Mohun Bagan.
- Made 14 appearances in Mohun Bagan’s 2019-20 I-League winning campaign.
- Started ahead of experienced goalkeepers Debjit Majumdar and Shilton Paul at Mohun Bagan.
- Prior to joining the Mariners, had a brief stint with Mohammedan SC.
Balwant Singh, Forward
- 33-year-old Indian international joins from ISL Champions ATK FC.
- 8 appearances with a return of one goal in the 2019-20 ISL; A solitary start and seven appearances off the bench.
- A youth product of JCT, Balwant featured for Churchill Brothers, Mohun Bagan, Chennaiyin FC and Mumbai City FC during his career.
Bikash Jairu, Midfielder
- 29-year-old left midfielder/winger joins from Jamshedpur FC.
- 9 appearances in the 2019-20 ISL season.
- Second stint with East Bengal FC.
- Youth product of Namchi Sports Hostel, Jairu turned up for Rangdajied United FC, Mumbai Tigers and Salgaocar FC among others.
Cavin Lobo, Midfielder
- 32-year-old left winger joins from Punjab FC.
- 15 appearances in the 2019-20 I-League.
- A youth product of Sporting Clube de Goa, this is Lobo’s second stint for the Red & Gold Brigade.
- During his career, the Indian international played for Dempo SC, Mumbai FC and ATK FC among others.
Lalramchullova, Centre-Back
- 24-year-old defender joins from Mohun Bagan.
- 5 appearances in the 2019-20 I-League.
- Second stint with East Bengal FC.
- Previously turned up for Mizoram-based Luangmual FC and Aizawl FC
Girik Khosla, Attacking Midfielder
- 25-year-old attacking midfielder/forward joins from Punjab FC.
- 7 appearances with two goals to his credit in the 2019-20 I-League.
- Was with Northeast United FC for a season (2018-19) and made a solitary appearance in the ISL.
Dilliram Sanyasi, Midfielder
- 24-year-old right winger was last playing at Minerva Punjab FC.
- Product of the famed Namchi Sports Hostel in Sikkim.
- Was with Air India FC for five years (2009-14) followed by stints at Hindustan FC, Delhi FC and Mohammedan Sporting.
Milan Singh, Midfielder
- 28-year-old midfielder joins the Red & Gold Brigade from Northeast United FC.
- 13 appearances for the defensive midfielder in the 2019-20 Indian Super League.
- Youth career with Tata Football Academy and East Bengal.
- Also turned up for Pailan/Indian Arrows, Shillong Lajong, DSK Shivajians and had season long spells at ISL clubs Delhi Dynamos, Kerala Blasters and Mumbai City FC.
Wahengbam Angousana Luwang, Midfielder
- 24-year old midfielder joins from TRAU FC.
- 17 appearances in the 2019-20 I-League.
- A Shillong Lajong youth product.
C. K. Vineeth (Forward, Winger)
- Veteran Indian international joins from Jamshedpur FC.
- 10 appearances with a return of one goal in the 2019-20 ISL for the 32-year-old.
- Tons of experience in the ISL, I-League and AFC club competitions.
- Has turned up for Bengaluru FC, Kerala Blasters, Chennaiyin FC among others.
Mohammad Rafique Ali Sardar, Goalkeeper
- 22-year-old custodian joins from Jamshedpur FC.
- Three appearances in the 2019-20 ISL and was an understudy to Subrata Paul.
- Youth career with East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and more recently the Tata Football Academy.
Mohammed Rafique, Midfielder
- 27-year-old midfielder joins from Mumbai City FC.
- Six appearances in the 2019-20 ISL.
- Second stint with East Bengal FC.
- Youth career with Tollygunge Agragami
- Was picked in the ISL draft to represent ATK and Kerala Blasters in the past.
Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Midfielder
- 33-year-old veteran midfielder joins from Bengaluru FC.
- Five appearances in the 2019-20 ISL.
- The Indian international has vast experience with clubs like Rangdajied United, Shillong Lajong and Bengaluru FC.
- 24 caps for the Indian National Team.
Rino Anto, Fullback
- 32-year-old fullback joins from Bengaluru FC.
- A solitary appearance for the right back in the 2019-20 ISL.
- Lots of experience both in the ISL and the I-League.
- Previously turned up for Mohun Bagan, Salgaocar FC, ATK and Kerala Blasters among others.
Soraisam Pritam Kumar Singh, Fullback
- 24-year-old left back joins from Kerala Blasters FC.
- Zero appearances in the 2019-20 ISL.
- Youth career at the Shillong Lajong Youth Academy, AIFF Elite Academy.
- Turned up for Northeast United FC and Shillong Lajong in the past.
Loken Meitei, Winger
- 23-year-old left winger joins from TRAU FC.
- Five appearances in the 2019-20 I-League.
- Turned up for Real Kashmir FC and Kerala Blasters a few seasons ago.
- Youth career with Royal Wahingdoh.
Anil Chavan, Defender
- 21-year-old defender joins from ATK FC.
- Eight appearances in the current 2nd Division League seaon with ATK Reserves.
- Youth career with Dempo SC and Sesa Football Academy.
Vikas Saini, Defender
- 23-year-old defender joins from Mohammedan SC.
- Three appearances in the current 2nd Division League season.
- Also turned up for Delhi-based Hindustan FC.
Keegan Pereira, Fullback
- 32-year-old left back was last at Jamshedpur FC.
- Four appearances in the 2019-20 ISL.
- Journeyman who has played for Bengaluru FC, ATK, Mumbai City FC, Northeast United among others.
Great summary of the transfer tornado. What do you think about the rumor that Punjab FC might follow East Bengal to keep an even 12 in the Super League?
Thank you so much! Punjab FC have held talks with the ISL folks, but I doubt it’s going to happen in the upcoming season. There isn’t much buzz around it and their lack of activity in the market is telling. All things said, I really hope they pull it off sooner rather than later. The more the merrier!