When Jerry Mawihmingthanga arrived at Odisha FC in 2019, he was a 22-year-old winger with quick feet, a calm demeanour and a quiet promise of potential. Born in Mizoram, Mawihmingthanga had already tasted the Indian Super League (ISL) with NorthEast United FC and Jamshedpur FC, but it was in Bhubaneswar where he truly found his footballing home.

Six seasons later, the forward leaves the club, not just as a player, but as a part of its very soul. And his departure from Odisha FC marks the end of an era. An emotional one. He was part of the club's foundation, its journey, its identity. From the moment Odisha FC played their first-ever ISL match in 2019, he was there - sprinting down the wing, scoring goals, whipping in crosses and always putting in the hard yards.

And he never really stopped. Over the years, Mawihmingthanga became more than just a Mizo boy playing in the ISL. He became Odisha FC’s own. The locals embraced him like one of their own. For a club that was carving its identity in Indian football, he offered consistency, loyalty and heart.

As we flip through these memories, one thing is clear: this goodbye is only to the jersey, never to the bond. 💜🫶#OdishaFC pic.twitter.com/xrmhepGhdT

— Odisha FC (@OdishaFC) June 3, 2025

A key player in every chapter

It’s not easy to stick around in modern football. Players move often and clubs evolve quickly. But Mawihmingthanga stayed. And he delivered.

In his early seasons, when the club was still finding its feet, including a bottom-place finish in the 2020-21 campaign, the forward was often the creative spark in an otherwise inconsistent side. His low centre of gravity, sharp turns and vision made him a constant threat.

As Odisha FC matured, so did he. The 2022-23 season saw him continue to grow as a player and helped the club achieve something historic, their first-ever qualification to the ISL playoffs. That season was special. For the fans, for the club, and for Mawihmingthanga. Years of patience and hard work had finally translated into success, and the winger who had been there from day one was at the centre of it all.

Success followed the following season as Odisha FC achieved their best-ever ISL finish, ending fourth in the standings, recording their best points tally and even went unbeaten at home the entire season. Though Jerry saw reduced minutes, he made his presence felt, chipping in with key contributions when it mattered most.

Then came their crowning moment: the Kalinga Super Cup triumph in 2023, the club’s first ever trophy. Mawihmingthanga was a livewire throughout the tournament, notching up three assists, including one in the final. It was fitting. The club that had given him so much was finally lifting silverware and Mawihmingthanga, as always, was involved in making it happen. The following season, Odisha FC came close to defending their title but fell just short against East Bengal FC in the final. Yet again, the forward played a key role, this time as a more experienced voice in the dressing room.

He matched his best-ever tally of two goals and five assists in the 2024-25 season, the same numbers he recorded in his debut campaign with the club. Fittingly, what turned out to be his final season saw him rediscover some of his old spark. While Odisha FC narrowly missed out on a third consecutive playoff appearance, they remained in contention for a knockout spot until the very end, eventually finishing seventh - just three points behind Mumbai City FC.

Not just domestic glory

His contributions weren’t limited to Indian soil either. In the 2023-24 season, Odisha FC made their debut in the AFC Cup, a big step for a young club. Drawn in a tough group that included Mohun Bagan Super Giant, few expected them to top the table. But Odisha FC, with their experienced winger in the thick of things, defied expectations and marched into the Inter-Zone Semi-Final. Mawihmingthanga didn’t have goals to show for it, but his impact went beyond the stats. It was about his work rate, his off-the-ball movement, his willingness to track back and the quiet leadership he offered on the biggest stage Odisha FC had ever played on.

It was a moment of pride for the club and its fans, and for Mawihmingthanga, it was yet another chapter where he helped Odisha FC rewrite their story.

Football, like life, moves on. And players eventually take on new challenges. Mawihmingthanga’s journey with Odisha FC may have come to an end, but he leaves as a champion and as a player who saw a fledgling club grow and helped it grow.

But more than anything, he leaves as one of Odisha FC’s own.