Promising central midfielder Lalrinliana Hnamte has penned a one-year deal with SC East Bengal, adding to the team’s midfield options ahead of the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2021-22 season, the club announced on Thursday.

Mizoram-born Hnamte joined Pune City FC U-18 side in 2018 and took part in the Hero I-League U-18. The 18-year-old then moved to the Hyderabad FC reserves team and was with them till September this year, before joining the Red-and-Gold Brigade.

“It is a dream come true for me. For a youngster like me, every day is learning and at such a big club like SC East Bengal, I know I have a great opportunity in front of me to showcase my talent,” Hnamte said.

“I am looking forward to playing in the [Hero] ISL also, which is the top league of the country. I can’t wait,” he added. Hnamte also featured for Mizoram in the sub-junior national championships in 2018.

SC East Bengal, on Wednesday, appointed Manuel ‘Manolo’ Diaz as the new head coach after parting ways with Robbie Fowler, who was in charge of the team in its debut Hero ISL season in 2020-21.

With over 20 years of coaching experience, including a significant period of time in the Real Madrid C.F. setup, Manolo brings with him a wealth of experience and a winning mentality. The 53-year-old has an overall win rate of 41.77 percent over 328 matches coached in his two-decade career, and had a 46.66 percent win rate in his latest stint at Real Madrid Castilla (2018-19).