East Bengal FC is delighted to announce that Indian national team defensive mainstay Anwar Ali has signed a 5-year contract with the club on a permanent transfer for an undisclosed fee from Delhi FC.
Welcoming Anwar to the Emami East Bengal family, Mr Vibhash Vardhan Agarwal of Emami Group said:
Anwar is one of the best defenders in the country and a regular starter for the national team. Emami has been tracking him for a long time and when the chance came, we couldn’t let him go. He is one of the best in India and we hope with this signing we can come one step closer to our goals.
Emami East Bengal FC Head Coach Caries Cuadrat commented:
In Anwar we have got another national team player who will give us much-needed experience at the top level and the quality and physicality in the squad that we are trying to build for the next few years. It’s essential for players to believe in what you are doing as a coach, before joining a new project. I am happy to see how some young players in Indian football have realized this season that Emami East Bengal is the club where they can take the next step in their careers.
One of the pillars of the Indian national team’s defence, Anwar has played 22 matches for the Blue Tigers so far since making his international debut in March 2022, winning the Tri-Nation series (2023), the Intercontinental Cup (2023) and the SAFF Championship (2023). The 23-year-old has represented the national team at all age group levels from U-17 to the senior team. He was a vital member of the Indian team that participated in the U-17 FIFA World Cup in 2017 on home soil.
Anwar rose through the youth set-up of the Minerva Academy before rising to prominence whilst playing for the AIFF’s developmental side in 2017. In the Indian Super League, Anwar has played a total of 46 matches so far since 2021. Besides being one of the finest centre-backs in the country, Anwar has also displayed his knack for scoring on multiple occasions. Anwar not only scored 3 goals and provided 1 assist across 26 matches last season, he was also the top scorer for Delhi FC in the 2021 I-League Qualifiers (4 goals).
In last season’s ISL, Anwar registered 4 cleansheets, 18 interceptions, 17 tackles, 45 successful duels. 19 successful aerial duels, 9 blocks, 67 recoveries, 52 clearances and 549 successful passes in 16 matches.
Expressing his joy at joining Emami East Bengal FC, Anwar said:
I am honored and excited to wear the Red & Gold jersey. The reception that I got at the Kolkata Airport was overwhelming and the fans have already shown me a lot of love and support. I want to dedicate the best years of my career to this iconic club and its passionate fans. Everytime I take the field, I want to make our fans proud and happy. Joy East Bengal!
The player registration is subject to completion of regulatory processes.
EBFC Media
BACKGROUND
“Anwar Ali gets NOC and goes back to Delhi FC. He can then sign for a club of his choice. However, the player registration is at the risk of the player as well as any other interested parties, and is subject to the final order. Next hearing on Aug 22 at 5pm.
“As Mohun Bagan had not issued NOC despite having conceded termination, whilst reserving its rights to claim sanctions and damages, it is hereby directed that this order may be treated as an NOC for purposes of player reintegration and registration.
“The player status committee has also clarified that the registration is provisional and is without prejudice to the rights of Mohun Bagan and is at the risk of the player, as well as any other interested parties, and is subject to the final order of the committee.” (Marcus Mergulhao, TOI)
“The latest order by PSC can be treated as a NOC for Anwar Ali. He is free to sign for East Bengal and play.
“The player’s participation in any competition until the final disposal of this case shall be at the risk of both the player and his new club and shall be subject to all AIFF rules and regulations.
“As discussed yesterday in Inside Indian Football E134, MBSG have asked for a transfer ban for both Delhi FC & East Bengal, along with a sporting ban on Anwar Ali. The final decision will be on 22nd August 2024.” (Ashish Negi, KhelNow)
[…] Following Indian National Team Anwar Ali’s acrimonious transfer to East Bengal FC, the AIFF Player Status Committee has banned Anwar Ali for four months and handed out two-transfer window registration bans to Delhi FC and East Bengal FC and a cumulative fine of 12.9 crores to be paid by the three parties to Mohun Bagan. […]