Tom Aldred’s arrival at Mohun Bagan Super Giant marked the start of a new chapter in his career. He stepped into a high-pressure role, moving to a new country, adapting to a different league, and immersing himself in an unfamiliar football culture. Naturally, the adjustment was expected to take time.

However, in just one season, the centre-back — alongside fellow newcomer Alberto Rodriguez — formed a solid defensive partnership that proved instrumental in the Mariners’ historic Indian Super League (ISL) double, as they lifted both the League Shield and the ISL Cup.

Now, with his contract extension confirmed, Aldred has reflected on his journey with the Mariners and shared his ambitions for the season ahead — particularly as the club prepares for another shot at the AFC Champions League Two.

“It couldn’t have gone much better on the pitch if I’m honest,” he said in an interview with the Blackpool Gazette.

“When you go to any new club, you want to show who you are as a character and as a person. It was just an incredible year, and it is probably up there with the best in my career,” he added.

While Aldred’s performances on the pitch earned praise, adapting off the pitch was just as crucial to his success.

The centre-back had previously played in England, Scotland, and Australia before making the move to India. The strong bond he formed with his teammates and the club staff played a key role in easing the transition and bringing the group closer together.

“We had a good group of foreigners, and I said if we did a YouTube channel of us and our experiences, then the subscribers would be through the roof. Some of the things we’ve seen have been incredible.

“That’s where I’ve been fortunate in my career, because I’ve been able to have these experiences in different cultures,” he stated.

But the journey to the top wasn’t straightforward. The season began with the setback of a Durand Cup final loss, which only ignited the team’s hunger. Step by step, the Mariners found their rhythm, grew in confidence, and eventually hit a level of form that made them look unstoppable.

“I always felt we were going to win the league; we were comfortably the best team, in my opinion. It was amazing. For all the experiences we’ve spoken about, it ultimately comes down to football and being the best player you can be. I wanted that pressure to win football matches, and we did it,” opined Aldred.

Having committed to another season, Aldred is determined to push even further and help the Mariners scale new heights in the upcoming campaign.

“When you’ve had that taste of success, you want more. To have done one year and then left wouldn’t have been the right thing to do. The team we have has the legs to go again,” he commented.

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Mohun Bagan Super Giant2024-2025 Thomas Michael Aldred