Indian Super League (ISL) club East Bengal FC have secured the services of last season’s Durand Cup and League Shield-winning Spanish defender Hector Yuste for the 2024–25 season. The seasoned centre-back will be the club’s sixth foreigner for the upcoming season.

Welcoming Yuste to the East Bengal FC family, Mr Vibhash Vardhan Agarwal said, “Hector (Yuste) was one of the standout defenders of last season’s ISL. His immense experience competing in La Liga and La Liga 2 will add more depth to our backline. We are delighted to welcome another title-winning player to our team who is very eager to wear the Red and Gold shirt.”

East Bengal FC head coach Carles Cuadrat commented, “Hector (Yuste) will help us greatly with his experience of playing in top European and Asian competitions. His ability to handle the pressure and demands of big games and finals makes him a valuable asset. Yuste has been part of many champion teams during his long career. He has been playing over 3,000 minutes season after season while leading the defensive systems of all the clubs he has represented. Yuste’s experience of playing in India in the previous season will help him adapt faster to the conditions.”

Born in Spain’s Cartagena, Yuste rose through the youth systems of Fuente Alamo, Murcia, and Cartagena before making his senior team debut for Cartagena in 2007. In the following seasons, Yuste represented several renowned Spanish clubs like Granada, Mallorca, and Racing Santander, making over 250 appearances in Spanish football. The 6 feet 3 inches tall defender also played six seasons (2017–23) in Cyprus’ first division for Apollon Limassol FC and AC Omonia before moving to India, winning the Cypriot Cup twice (2021–22, 2022-23) and the Cypriot Super Cup in 2021. In the process, Yuste also played in the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League Group Stages.

In his first season in Indian football, Yuste played a total of 3,153 minutes across 36 ISL, AFC Cup, Durand Cup, and Kalinga Super Cup matches. Playing a pivotal role in his former team’s ISL Shield triumph and runner-up finish in the ISL Cup, Yuste finished the season as one of the finest foreign defenders. He registered 8 clean sheets, 34 interceptions, 17 blocks, 86 clearances, 18 successful tackles, and 101 successful duels, besides notching up a goal and an assist in last year’s ISL.

Thrilled to join the Red and Gold Brigade, Yuste said, “I am very happy to be part of the East Bengal family. The enthusiasm and ambition shown by the club are the main reasons why I have decided to return to Kolkata! It’s a special feeling to represent a historic club that has so many passionate and energetic supporters. I hope we can achieve our desired goals and experience many moments of glory together. Joy East Bengal!”

NorthEast United FC sign Alaeddine Ajaraie

ISL side NorthEast United FC announced the arrival of forward Alaeddine Ajaraie from Moroccan top-tier side FAR Rabat for the 2024–25 season, with an option to extend the contract for another year.

Ajaraie, 31, becomes the Highlanders’ sixth and last foreign signing. The five other foreigners in the club are Michel Zabaco, Guillermo Fernández, Néstor Albiach, Hamza Regragui, and Mohammed Ali Bemammer.

“I already knew the head coach, Juan Pedro Benali. I shared the pitch with Hamza Regragui in RS Berkane, and Mohammed Ali Bemammer was my teammate at the national level. They spoke highly about the club, and that’s why I decided to join the club,” Alaeddine said.

“Having experienced football in Morocco and Qatar, I was eager for a new challenge. So after deliberation with my family, I decided to take this opportunity. I am looking forward to getting going and helping the club win trophies,” he added.

Ajaraie won the CAF Confederation Cup in 2020, where NorthEast United FC’s Regragui was his teammate. After winning the CAF Confederation Cup, Ajaraie moved to Maghreb Association Sportive de Fès (MAS Fes), Morocco’s oldest sports club, before joining Muaither SC.

Ajaraie, who can play across the front line, has a prolific record: 143 goals in 211 appearances across various competitions in various countries. He was the top scorer for Muaither SC (11 goals in 13 appearances) in Qatar’s second division and helped his side to promotion to the Qatar Stars League. After helping Muaither to a promotion, he moved to AS FAR Rabat, a team in Morocco’s top tier.

“Alaeddine is a seasoned and versatile striker, capable of playing across the front line. His tenacious spirit and ability to disrupt opposition backlines make him a formidable force. I've been following his career for six years and am thrilled to welcome him to the team,” NorthEast United FC head coach Juan Pedro Benali said.

"Alaeddine is a top-quality player who we've been following since he helped Muaither SC earn promotion in 2023. We attempted to sign him then, but he opted for FAR Rabat. We're delighted to finally have him here,” Mandar Tamhane, CEO, of NorthEast United FC, said.

Mohun Bagan SG extend Dimitri Petratos’ contract

ISL club Mohun Bagan Super Giant announced that Aussie forward Dimitrios Petratos has penned a two-year extension with the club.

Since joining the Mariners in the 2022–23 season, Petratos has been an integral part of the team and has proved himself a worthy matchwinner with his all-around impact. The dynamic forward has already clinched the ISL League Shield, the ISL Cup, and the Durand Cup during his two-year stint with the Kolkata-based club.

Petratos made 46 appearances, in which he recorded 22 goals and 14 assists. The versatile Australian has been deployed in several attacking positions in the lineup, such as attacking midfielder, winger, second striker, or a false nine, adding an extra dimension to their style of play.

Petratos scored a brace against Bengaluru FC in the final, helping Mohun Bagan SG win the Cup title in the 2022–23 season. The 31-year-old footballer played a pivotal role in the Mariners’ maiden League Shield triumph last season and won the coveted ‘Player of the Season’ award.

On extending his stay with Mohun Bagan SG, Petratos said, “I’m grateful for the club having faith in me. I’ll try to help the team win more trophies.”

We have strengthened our squad this season. My Aussie friend Jamie Maclaren has joined the team. We played many matches together and succeeded. I want to maintain that in India as well. Greg Stewart, who was successful in India, has also joined the club. Tom Aldred and Alberto Rodriguez strengthened our defence. The management has also roped in successful Indian international Apuia. I’m confident we’ll be successful as a team, like last year. The supporters’ passion is my inspiration. We need their help. Joy Mohun Bagan”

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Mohun Bagan Super GiantEast Bengal FCNorthEast United FC2023-2024 Hector Yuste CantonDimitrios Petratos