Bengaluru FC have begun preparations for the upcoming Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) season, with the club conducting their pre-season training at the Inspire Institute of Sports in Bellary before travelling to Goa. Their new defensive signing Ajith Kumar is using these sessions as an opportunity to get used to his new teammates while learning his role in the team.

“I have an idea about the role I will play at Bengaluru FC. That said, I am ready to do anything and everything our coach wants, and the team demands. I have had good interactions with the coaches and teammates so far. It is still early in the pre-season and I am taking it one day at a time,” he said in an interview with thebridge.in.

Ajith joined Hero I-League club Chennai City FC through trials in 2018 and was an important member of their team that won the 2018-19 season, playing a part in all his side’s matches during their title-winning campaign. Later that season, he also starred in the quarter-final of the Hero Super Cup as Chennai City went on to beat Bengaluru FC 2-1.

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Now set to make his Hero ISL debut in the upcoming season, Ajith is relishing the prospect of sharing a dressing room with legends like Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Sunil Chhetri. “I feel like I am in the best possible place professionally. I will be playing along with a few legends who I grew up admiring. I want to give my best every time I get an opportunity. There’s still the part of me that considers this move to be a prank and I feel like I’m just playing along. Almost like a good happy dream,” he said.

“I had offers from a few other clubs as well. But I’ve always admired Bengaluru FC as a fan – right from the professionalism around the club to its infrastructure. Bengaluru FC was at the top of my list. Moreover, why would someone miss a chance to play with our Indian legends like Chhetri, Gurpreet, etc.,” Ajith added.

At just 23 years of age, Aijth will look to gain experience playing alongside the likes of Rahul Bheke and Juanan. The defender admitted that he is far from the finished product but is moving in the right direction. “I don’t consider myself as an established player yet. I am far from it. But I would say that I am on the right path towards it. And I will always give it my all, not just for myself and the team but also for the kids back from my place, who carry the same dream as me,” he concluded.