Indian Super League (ISL) club NorthEast United FC on Tuesday announced that defender Dinesh Singh has renewed his contract with the club and will stay with the Highlanders until the end of the 2026-27 season.

Since arriving at the club ahead of the 2023-24 season, Singh, 27, has emerged as a pillar of strength in the Highlanders’ backline under head coach Juan Pedro Benali. Singh can operate as a center-back and right-back, a testament to his adaptability and tactical intelligence. His ability to seamlessly slot into multiple positions has allowed the team greater flexibility in defensive structures and in-game transitions.

With 48 appearances across all competitions, Singh has impressed with his calmness under pressure, aerial dominance, and well-timed tackles while taking on leadership responsibilities at the back.

“I’m delighted to continue my journey with NorthEast United FC. This club has become like a family to me. I’m motivated to keep improving and to help the club achieve even greater success in the coming seasons,” he said.

Head coach Juan Pedro Benali lauded Dinesh’s all-round contribution, saying, “Dinesh (Singh) is a great team player. His commitment, work ethic, and tactical abilities make him a key player in our team. He brings balance and versatility to our backline and reads the game exceptionally well.”

“Renewing Dinesh’s contract was vital for us. He is a great defender, versatile, and a great character. He is a player’s player. His progress since joining has been exceptional — he leads by example on and off the pitch. We look forward to seeing him grow further and play a central role in our ambitions for the seasons ahead,” Mandar Tamhane, CEO, NorthEast United FC, said.

Singh’s renewal marks another step in NorthEast United FC’s continued focus on building a strong, consistent core as the team looks ahead to the 2025-26 campaign.

Mumbai City FC bid adieu to six players

Mumbai City FC announced the departures of six players, including Hardik Bhatt, Amey Ranawade, Prabir Das, Hitesh Sharma, Daniel Lalhlimpuia, and Vishal Joon.

Hardik Bhatt and Amey Ranawade, were out on loan at Sreenidi Deccan FC and Odisha FC, respectively during the 2024-25 season. Ranawade was part of the team that won the double during the 2020-21 season while Bhatt was part of MCFC’s Shield winning squad during the 2022-23 campaign.

On the other hand, Prabir Das, who joined the club during the winter transfer window, has bid farewell to the Islanders along with Hitesh Sharma, who joined MCFC on a loan from Odisha FC.

Forward Daniel Lalhlimpuia joined MCFC in 2024 but only made four appearances while keeper Vishal Joon also departs without featuring in a single game since joining the club in January.

Pedro Capo leaves Bengaluru FC

Bengaluru FC bid farewell to Pedro Capo, following his one-year stint with the Blues.

The Spanish defensive midfielder joined the Blues ahead of the 2024-25 season. Capo featured in 25 ISL matches for BFC, clocking a total of 2062 minutes on the field.

The anchorman at the heart of the pitch, Capo, has been a leader on the pitch for the Blues. His versatility and commendable contribution in both attacking and defensive play made him a crucial part of the BFC squad. He created 11 chances, completed 98 recoveries, attempted 22 interceptions, and 38 clearances while also creating 11 chances, and averaged 42 passes per game with an 83% passing accuracy.

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Bengaluru FCMumbai City FCNorthEast United FC2024-2025 Hitesh SharmaPrabir DasAmey RanawadeDaniel Lalhlimpuia