Sports

ISL transfer news: Laxmikant Kattimani extends Hyderabad FC stay, Bengaluru FC signs promising youngsters

July 1, 2022
Bharat Times English News

Laxmikant Kattimani has signed a two-year contract extension with Indian Super League (ISL) champions Hyderabad FC. The 33-year-old had a fairy tale for the ISL 2021-22 campaign, where he was also the hero of the match in the final. He was almost unbeatable in the penalty shoot-out which eventually helped Hyderabad win their first trophy.

Kattimani saved four Blasters penalties, one of which had to be retaken, and he stepped up when the team needed him. But before long, he established himself as a reliable mentor to Manolo Marquez, as he featured in 22 matches for Hyderabad FC and had a saving percentage of 72.61.

“I am very pleased to have signed a new contract here and I am really grateful to the club for their trust in me. We have an incredible group here. We are one big family and I am sure we can achieve many more things together,” Kattimani said after putting pen to paper in a deal with the ISL Champions till the end of the 2023-24 season.

The Spanish coach preferred Kattimani and the Goans believe that this trust made it easier for them to sign a new deal.

“Manolo is a coach who has really believed in me since I came to the club and gave me the opportunity and confidence to do my best. So of course he played a big part in keeping me here at the club,” added the shot-stopper, who earned a call-up for the national team as well.

A two-time I-League winner, a Super Cup winner and now an ISL champion, Kattimani was a part of the Blue Tigers that recently qualified for the AFC Asian Cup 2023 and is one of the most experienced players in his role. Country.

Read also | Arshdeep Singh signs two-year deal with FC Goa

He has made 81 ISL appearances, 42 of them in Yellow and Black, where he has registered 14 clean sheets (9 for HFC) and has always been a popular figure in his hometown.

BFC signs up with Amrit Gopal and Faisal Ali

Bengaluru FC on Friday announced that the club has acquired the services of youngsters Amrit Gope and Faisal Ali on two- and three-year deals respectively.

Gopp, who recently left for Trai FC, has signed a deal that will see him at the club until 2023-24, while former Mohammedan Sporting winger Ali’s deal runs through the end of the 2024-25 campaign.

Gopp, who joined TRAU in 2021, previously turned out for Jamshedpur FC Reserve between 2018 and 2019, making 12 appearances in the 2nd Division I-League.

Before the 2019-20 campaign, the 22-year-old was promoted to the senior team, where he was part of the Red Minors Indian Super League team. Since moving to TRAU, Gopp has made 16 more appearances in two seasons in the I-League.

Meanwhile, the Kolkata-born Ali began his senior football journey with the Southern Committee in 2018, and shifted to Bhawanipore FC just two years later.

The 23-year-old made the move to Mohammedan SC in 2020, and finished sixth in the 2020-21 I-League season. The following year, Ali was part of the Black Panthers squad, which finished runners-up in the 2021 Durand Cup, and was on target three times as they finished runners-up in the 2021–22 I-League.

The duo, whose signatures come as part of the Blues’ continued build-up of their squad around the youth, will join a team that has received contract extensions in recent weeks including Leon Augustine, Namgyal Bhutia, Lara Sharma, Parag Srivas and Naorem Roshan Singh. Have given.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqZen_-S0u0

Ali and Gopp will join the Blues’ first team at their pre-season training camp, which will include teammate Prabir Das and Spanish midfielder Xavi Hernandez.

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