Kerala Blasters FC have secured the services of full-back Prabir Das who has signed for the club on a three-year deal, the club announced on Thursday. 

Das who has represented ATK FC, ATK Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC in the past will don the yellow jersey in the upcoming Hero Indian Super League (ISL) season. 

The West Bengal footballer has played 106 matches in the Hero ISL and has seven assists to his name. He has created 63 chances in his career so far and has developed himself into one of the best attacking full-backs in the league. 

His ability to run up and down the flanks provides the head coaches with tactical flexibility as he can operate equally effectively in a back four as well as a back three. 

“Prabir Das comes into the squad with a wealth of title-winning experience. We expect his presence as a senior player to have a positive impact on the younger members of the squad, both on and off the field,” said Karolis Skinkys, Sporting Director, Kerala Blasters. 

“He has played with and against some of the best footballers in India across various tournaments and that knowledge combined with his skills should prove beneficial to the team. I wish Prabir all the very best, for the upcoming season,” he added.

Das meanwhile is looking forward to being welcomed by the Kerala Blasters FC fans in their first home game of the season.

“The management communicated a very exciting vision for the brand of football that they want to play and how I fit into it. I am eager to play a big part in bringing success to the club & I am grateful to the owners and management for showing faith in me. I cannot wait to get started and be on the right side of the Yellow Sea at Kaloor going forward!” he said after signing for the club. 

Das is Kerala Blasters FC’s second signing of the summer after acquiring the services of Australian forward Jaushua Sotirio. 

Jhingan leaves Bengaluru FC

Last season’s runners-up, Bengaluru FC announced on Thursday that defender Sandesh Jhingan who was one of their top performers will depart the club having joined the club last year from ATK Mohun Bagan. 

Jhingan was a rock at the back for Bengaluru FC as they overcame a difficult start to the season to reach the Hero ISL and Herp Super Cup finals. 

The 29-year-old was a real presence at the back for the Blues as he won 118 aerial duels which was more than double that of Mumbai City FC’s Mourtada Fall (55), the second-best player in the Hero ISL in this metric last season. 

The Blues will have their work cut out to replace the towering Indian centre-back as they look to go one step better next season. 

Naushad Moosa joins NorthEast United FC

Former Bengaluru FC coach Naushad Moosa has joined NorthEast United FC as Indian assistant coach, head coach of the reserve team and head of youth development, the club announced on Thursday. 

Moosa who worked at Bengaluru FC in a similar capacity and delivered positive results for the youth teams and will team up with Mandar Tamhane who joined the club as CEO last month.

“I’m excited to take up this opportunity at NorthEast United, as I believe it is a great challenge for me at this stage in my career as a coach. The foundation of many teams in the country are built around players from this region and I am excited about the talent we can find both for NorthEast United and for the Indian Football Team in the future,” Moosa told the club’s official website after taking up the role.