Wide midfielder Jackichand Singh has put pen to paper for SC East Bengal on a loan deal from Mumbai City FC, the club announced on Wednesday.

Jackichand, 29, helped Mumbai City FC to their maiden Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) title last season playing eight matches for the Islanders since joining them in the January transfer window from Jamshedpur FC. Jackichand had appeared in all 12 matches for Jamshedpur FC till then.

The Manipur-born footballer has a total of 91 Hero ISL matches under his belt, netting 13 times. The India international previously turned out for East Bengal in 2017.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be back at East Bengal [now SC East Bengal]. I am thankful to the management for giving me this opportunity to return to this big club. I love the fans here and I can’t wait to take the field in red and gold colours,” Jackichand said.

Jackichand was first seen for Royal Wahingdoh in 2009 as he played a pivotal role in the club gaining promotion to the Hero I-League for the 2014-15 season. He then moved to FC Pune City in 2015 and turned out for the Stallions nine times, scoring once.

Jackichand jumped ship to Mumbai City FC for the 2016 campaign, making eight appearances in his first spell under then head coach Alexandre Guimares.

He also plied his trade for Kerala Blasters FC in the 2017-18 season before switching allegiances to FC Goa, helping the team reach the final of Hero ISL 2018-19 also winning the Hero Super Cup in 2019.

The 2019-20 league campaign saw him score five goals and provide three assists in 18 matches as FC Goa clinched the inaugural Hero ISL League Winners Shield.

Jackichand then joined Jamshedpur FC ahead of the 2020-21 season before returning to Mumbai City FC. SC East Bengal, coached by Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler, took part in their maiden Hero ISL campaign last time, finishing in ninth place.