Bhubaneswar: Odisha FC have secured the services of widemen Baoringdao Bodo and Laishram Premjit Singh, the Bhubaneswar-based club confirmed on Thursday. Assam-born winger, Bodo has played in the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) before and joins Odisha on a two-year contract, while Premjit has been roped in by the club on a four-year deal.
“I am very excited and can’t wait to start my journey with Odisha FC. I want to thank the management for showing faith in me. I feel privileged and great to be part of a system which supports and develops young players. I look forward to playing in front of the faithful Odia fans and give my best. Ama Team, Ama Game, Ama Odisha,” a delighted Bodo said after signing for the club.
Part of a select group of five All India Football Federation (AIFF) elite academy prospects who were sponsored on a developmental stint to FC Metz’s academy in France by Chennaiyin FC, Bodo has made four appearances in the Hero ISL so far.
He featured in two matches for the Marina Machans during their title-winning 2017-18 campaign and was the youngest player to feature in the league at the time. The pacey winger also made two appearances in the Hero ISL for Kerala Blasters FC after joining them in January 2019.
🚨 SIGNING ALERT 🚨
Odisha FC is delighted to announce the signing of young Indian wingers Baoringdao Bodo and Laishram Premjit Singh!@IndSuperLeague #WelcomePremjit #WelcomeBodo #OdishaFC #AmaTeamAmaGame pic.twitter.com/7EcwklopzS
— Odisha FC (@OdishaFC) June 11, 2020
Premjit, on the other hand, has previously represented Manipur’s TRAU FC in the I-League and is looking forward to playing in the Hero ISL. “I am extremely delighted that Odisha FC showed interest in me and they are investing a lot in youngsters. I am looking forward to play for them in the ISL and I am sure that it will be a great opportunity for me to grow further in my professional career,” the 18-year-old said after putting pen to paper.
Odisha FC President Rohan Sharma extended his welcome to the young wingers and expects them to have a bright future. “I am quite happy to welcome both Premjit and Bodo to the club. Premjit is a player who has an extremely bright future and if he can play to his potential, he can be another winger in the same vein as Jerry for the squad. Though only 18, his speed is impressive. We hope to develop him further in the next four years for him to become another winger with blistering pace in our squad,” he said.
“Bodo needs less introduction as not too long ago, he was thought of to be one of the best young prospects in India. While Bodo still has oodles of potential, he has slipped through the cracks a little bit. We are confident that Odisha FC is the club for Bodo to come back strong and make an impact in India once again. I am certain that Bodo will work hard to get his names in the headlines once again,” Sharma added.
After confirming the signing of goalkeeper Kamaljit Singh a few days back as well as the acquisitions of fullback Geroge D’Souza and defensive duo Hendry Antonay and Saurabh Meher last week, Bodo and Premjit become Odisha’s latest incomings.
(Odisha FC Media)
