SHILLONG: I-League champions Bengaluru FC have poached two big names from Shillong clubs Rangdajied United FC and Shillong Lajong FC with the announcement on Tuesday of the signing of Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Lalchhuanmawia for the upcoming season.
BFC have also taken on 18-year-old Udanta Kumam. All three players have been signed on one-year contracts, according to the club’s website.
While Lyngdoh captained last season’s new entrants Rangdajied for 2013-14, Lalchhuanmawia has been a key cog in the Lajong defence for the last couple of years.
Although RUFC doggedly survived a tight contest and avoided relegation in their first year of top flight football, they fell foul of various regulatory requirements set by the All India Football Federation and were therefore disqualified for the next season. This may go some way in explaining Lyngdoh’s move to BFC.
The 27-year-old, who played for SLFC before jumping to Rangdajied, missed a few games in the campaign through injury and finished with two goals to his name.
Lyngdoh said he was ecstatic at signing with Bengaluru.
“I played here (in Bangalore) last season and the atmosphere was special. I’ve also heard from many quarters about how BFC are going about doing things to change the way club football functions in the country and I wanted to be part of it,” he was quoted as saying on the Bengaluru website.
Lalchhuanmawia, who is two years younger to Lyngdoh, said he was looking forward to the challenge of helping Bengaluru defend their title.
“It’s a great feeling to be part of a champion team. I was up against Bengaluru FC last season and the football they played was very attractive. There is the challenge of defending the title this season though, and I am happy to be part of it,” said the Mizoram defender, who started his career with Punjab-based team JCT.
Another person with a Shillong connection is Bengaluru’s assistant coach Pradhyum Reddy, who once coached Shillong Lajong.
He was quoted as saying that the club believe the new trio of players can successfully make the transition to the southern club.
“Eugeneson had an impressive season at Rangdajied and he had good games when up against us. As for Lalchhuanmawia, he is an attacking left-back and will seamlessly blend into the BFC style of play while Udanta brings with him raw talent and pace. We genuinely feel that the three players could soon make the leap to the big stage,” he said.
The young Kumam is from Manipur and graduated from the Tata Football Academy, where he spent four years. He finished with nine goals in the TFA’s I-league U-19 title triumph last season, earning him the individual top scorer award.
After winning the I-League in their debut season, Bengaluru seem determined not to rest on their laurels.
Coach Ashley Westwood will continue to guide them, while Indian national captain Sunil Chhetri will also be on board.
The club signed former England U-20 skipper Joshu Walker last week as their marquee player, adding further strength to their already formidable ranks