Bengaluru FC announced the addition of two fresh faces to their squad in 21-year-olds Joe Zoherliana and Wungngayam Muirang on Friday. Both players have competed in the Hero I-League with Zoherliana most recently turning out for Aizawl FC, while Muirang joins the Blues after a spell with Gokulam Kerala FC.

Having started out as a teenager in Shillong Lajong’s youth teams, right-back Zoherliana rose through the ranks in Meghalaya before stints at Chanmari FC and FC Pune City’s developmental side. After moving to Aizawl FC in 2018 and with 15 appearances in their most recent I-League campaign, Zoherliana felt that the switch to Bengaluru was the right one.

“It really hasn’t sunk in yet that BFC noticed my potential and wanted to sign me. It’s true that I had offers from a few other ISL clubs, but when you are offered a chance to join Bengaluru FC, you cannot ignore it. I am at a stage in my career where I want to reach for the next level and I’m looking forward to that challenge,” Zoherliana said.

Bengaluru’s other signing Muirang joins after a stint with FC Pune City’s reserve team under current Bengaluru FC assistant Naushad Moosa. He is a versatile player who can fill in at defensive midfield as well as in the backline. Most recently with Gokulam Kerala FC, Muirang has also been a part of the national set up, having been called as part of the India’s U23 squad at the 2020 AFC U23 Championship qualifiers.

“I’ve been in touch with coach Moosa for some time now, and when the opportunity to move to Bengaluru FC came about, I grabbed it with both hands. He has been very influential in my career, and I hope to improve as a player among some of the best defenders in the country, at BFC. I am sure it will be tough, but I’m ready,” Muirang said after signing for the club.

The signings add two more to the list of incomings for the Blues’ upcoming campaign in the Hero Indian Super League, having announced the acquisition of defender Pratik Chaudhari and goalkeeper Lalthuammawia Ralte on Wednesday.

“We are very excited to have two more young players join the club in Joe and Muirang because we know they have the potential to reach the very top. Development of youth has been a key goal for this club, and we have been keeping an eye out for these boys for quite some time now. I am sure that under the right guidance, Joe and Muirang can become key players not just for us, but also for the national team in the coming years,” Club CEO Mandar Tamhane said after signing the young duo.