Mumbai City FC have signed Northeast United FC midfielder Apuia by paying a record transfer fee estimated to be around two crore rupees. The 20-year-old has inked a five-year-deal with MCFC reportedly worth around 11 crore rupees. Lalengmawia had a year left on his contract and was prised away by the ISL Champions after protracted negotiations with a reluctant NEUFC.
From Aizawl, Apuia represented his school in the U-14 Subroto Cup following which he trained under HC Zarzoliana at the Regional Sports Training Centre in Kolasib, Mizoram. Lalengmawia’s fist big break came when he was selected (in open trials held in Mizoram in January 2016) to join the AIFF Elite Academy as part of the U-17 FIFA World Cup 2017 Indian squad. He made two appearances in the U-17 WC held in Delhi and played in a bunch of friendlies at the U-17 level.
The next step up for Apuia was his promotion to the Indian Arrows squad in 2017. He played in the I-League for a couple of seasons with the AIFF development side before Northeast United FC came calling in 2019. He signed a three-year contract with the club.
Last season was a breakout year for the 20-year-old defensive midfielder. He made 22 appearances in the 2020-21 ISL season and was instrumental in NEUFC reaching the ISL playoffs. Apuia’s achievements led to him being named the “Emerging Player” of the League/Year by the AIFF & ISL Organising Committee.
Apuia also made his national team debut this year against Oman on March 25th. He has been capped four times so far.
Analyst’s Take
Blockbuster signing, comes just at the right time for Mumbai City after having lost Amrinder and Hugo.
Incredible at resisting the press, and is a proven ball winner.
With him, Rowllin and Raynier, Mumbai’s star-studded midfield is sorted for years to come.
Shlok
Apuia, Stats, 2020-21 ISL League Stage
| MATCHES | |
| Total played | 20 |
| Started | 18 |
| Minutes per game | 84 |
| ATTACKING | |
| Goals | 1 |
| Scoring frequency | 1670 min |
| Goals per game | 0.1 |
| Shots per game | 0.6 |
| Shots on target per game | 0.2 |
| PASSING | |
| Assists | 0 |
| Touches | 46 |
| Big chances created | 1 |
| Key passes | 0.3 |
| Accurate per game | 28.2 (84%) |
| Acc. own half | 16.6 (87%) |
| Acc. opposition half | 11.7 (78%) |
| Acc. long balls | 2.1 (62%) |
| Acc. chipped passes | 1.1 (64%) |
| Acc. crosses | 0.1 (11%) |
| DEFENDING | |
| Interceptions per game | 1.4 |
| Tackles per game | 2.4 |
| Possession won | 0.2 |
| Dribbled past per game | 0.8 |
| Clearances per game | 0.8 |
| OTHER | |
| Succ. dribbles | 0.6 (69%) |
| Total duels won | 5.0 (57%) |
| Ground duels won | 4.7 (61%) |
| Aerial duels won | 0.3 (30%) |
| Possession lost | 7.6 |
| Fouls | 1.3 |
| Was fouled | 1.8 |
| Offsides | 0 |
| Yellow Card | 1 |
| Red Card | 0 |
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