Odisha FC fullback Shubham Sarangi has signed a long-term contract extension keeping him at the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) club till 2023. The 19-year-old defender was a mainstay in Josep Gombau’s team which featured many young guns and eventually finished sixth on the Hero ISL 2019-20 table.

Sarangi made his Hero ISL debut with Delhi Dynamos FC in 2018-19, featuring nine times for the former Delhi-based club before they moved base to Odisha. Odisha. In 2019-20, the fullback almost doubled the count from last season, clocking 1409 minutes in his 17 appearances. Making 97 clearances, the pacy fullback averaged 36 passes per game and went on to make 81 successful tackles as well.

After a strong start to the season, Sarangi was key to Odisha’s fight for a semi-final spot and was pipped to be included in Igor Stimac’s squad for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He even made it to the initial squad for the national camp, which had to be eventually called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On this extension, the young fullback said, "I am very happy that I will be continuing to play for Odisha FC for three more years. I have enjoyed a lot while playing in front of the home crowd at the Kalinga Stadium and will look forward to the same in my upcoming days with Odisha. I am extremely thankful to the club management for their continuous support and would want to make the club and the state proud with a good show on the ground."

"Shubham came to this club when he was 17. We loved his talent, so he was the first boy we sent to Aspire Academy. He showed maturity in believing in us and waiting on the bench for a chance to shine. This year he showed what a great talent he is. But this is just his first step. I can’t wait for him to grow and develop into the man and player I know he can be. I hope he inspires the kids of Odisha that with hard work and patience you can reach your dreams,” Club president Rohan Sharma said about Sarangi.