Bengaluru FC have announced that they have handed a contract extension to defender Roshan Naorem Singh ahead of their new Hero Indian Super League (ISL) season. The 23-years-old defender will now stay at the club till 2025-26 season.

Roshan had a stellar opening season with Bengaluru FC's senior team in Hero ISL 2021-22 as he was awarded the Emerging Player of the season award for his performances.

He started in most of the matches for Bengaluru FC playing not just as a left-back, but also as a right-back. He appeared in 17 matches, where he scored one goal and provided seven assists.

A product of the AIFF Academy, Roshan joined Bengaluru FC as part of the club’s U18 Residential Academy in 2017, and made his debut for the Blues in their 2019 AFC Cup campaign, picking up an assist against Paro FC in Thimphu. For his standout performances in the League, the 23-year-old was named Fans’ and Players’ Player of the Year at the BFC Awards Night, in addition to winning the Goal of the Season accolade for his free-kick against Kerala Blasters FC. 

“Roshan’s growth as a footballer is a success story of our player development pathway,and we are all really glad to see him sign on with us. Our aim is to build this team around our young players who are showing tremendous potential, and Roshan’s signature is one of many that we will secure,” said club CEO Mandar Tamhane.

As a player what makes him special is his ability with both feet, which contributes to his versatility and fluid footballing abilities. With both feet, he takes set pieces. In set-pieces, he uses his feet in accordance with the situation's demands.

Roshan will play a huge role for Bengaluru FC in the upcoming Hero ISL season. The Blues will benefit greatly from his ingenuity and set-piece abilities.

“I’m really glad to extend my stay at Bengaluru FC. I’ve grown a lot as a footballer in my time here, and I believe this club presents me with the best environment to continue improving and contributing. I’m really looking forward to coming back to Bengaluru, and playing in front of the West Block Blues,” said Roshan, upon the completion of formalities on his deal.

The Bengaluru-based club is in the midst of a reconstruction after Simon Grayson arrived as the club's new head coach and will be busy during the transfer season.

Princeton Rebello signs two-year extension

While in FC Goa camp midfielder Princeton Rebello penned down a two-year contract extension with the club ahead of the upcoming Hero ISL season. The announcement came through a post from FC Goa’s social media handles on Friday.

During his early years in football, the Betalbatim-born playmaker was a sensation in Goa's youth leagues, winning numerous awards. Rebello is one of the many Indians who has experienced the grassroots of international football during his brief stay in England. In 2014, the 22-year-old joined Queens Park Rangers' U-15 side and stayed for six months. Rebello joined the AIFF's Elite Academy in Goa before returning to the United Kingdom.

The local boy of Goa following a successful domestic season was recruited into FC Goa's developmental squad in 2017. The next season, they loaned him to the Indian Arrows. Rebello was called up by then-FC Goa head coach Sergio Lobera to train with the first squad and was also given eight appearances in the 2019-20 season.

In the 2020-21 season, he was one of Juan Ferrando's most trusted assets, making 17 appearances for the Goan side. Princeton also played a significant role in FC Goa's AFC Champions League run. As a result, he became one of the few Indians to experience top-tier Asian club football.

Till now he had an impressive stint with the Gaurs with a total of 42 appearances, making a staggering 1160 passes and 18 interceptions during this time to his name.

Speaking to fcgoa.in after signing on the dotted line, the 23-year-old said, “This is a huge moment of pride for me and my family. I joined FC Goa five years ago with the goal of getting better each day and eventually playing in the first team one day. That has been my reality for two seasons now but I’m aware that I’ve got lots left to do.

“I’m really looking forward to the coming seasons and working towards making an impact in the side. I hope to stay for a long time to come and achieve lots of success with the Club.”

This is the second extension for FC Goa this month.

On Tuesday the Gaurs already announced the extension of Seriton Fernandes.

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