Two-time Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) champions ATK have roped in 23-year-old centre back Salam Ranjan Singh from East Bengal to add to their already impressive list of transfer window recruits. He joins the club on a three-year deal.

The Manipur-born defender is regarded as one of the most promising young defenders in the country and is already a full-fledged India international, having earned 11 caps for the Blue Tigers so far.

Salam began his career with the Pune FC academy and grabbed eyeballs early in his career, helping the youth team win back-to-back U20 I League titles. He was promoted to the senior squad ahead of the 2013-14 campaign and made his senior debut in Pune FC's opening Hero I League match against Mohammedan AC.

After making 16 I League and 5 AFC Cup appearances for the Maharashtra-based club, Salam joined Bengaluru FC for the 2015-16 campaign but managed just three I-League appearances for the Blues. Notably, Salam also played in the AFC Cup 2016 final for Bengaluru, coming on as a late substitute.

The following year, NorthEast United FC signed him up on loan for the Hero ISL 2016 campaign. He made his debut against FC Pune City on November 22, 2016, and also played in the following fixture against Chennaiyin FC. However, these would be the only two matches Salam stepped on the field in the Highlanders' jersey.

He returned to Bengaluru for the 2016-17 edition and played 11 matches for the Blues that term. The youngster joined East Bengal ahead of the 2017-18 season and turned up in 21 matches for the Red and Gold brigade over the last two seasons. His move to ATK will keep him in Kolkata and give him another opportunity to establish himself as a mainstay in a Hero ISL side. At ATK, he will reunite with his former East Bengal teammate Jobby Justin and John Johnson, with whom he has played at Bengaluru.

Technically gifted and good in the air, Salam possesses all the tools of the trade to develop into a top defender and can prove to be a valuable addition for Antonio Lopez Habas' side.

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