Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Chennaiyin FC can today confirm the signing of 23-year-old goalkeeper Vishal Kaith, who has put pen to paper on a long-term permanent deal with the club. Kaith joins the two-time Indian Super League champions from Hyderabad FC for an undisclosed fee, after spending the previous three seasons at FC Pune City.

“A new chapter awaits in my career, with a champion club in Chennaiyin FC. Their rich history in the ISL made it a very easy decision for me to come here when the opportunity presented itself. I am looking forward to helping the club win more trophies in the years to come. I believe in the coach’s (John Gregory’s) plans and I am certain Chennaiyin is the right destination for me to take my game and career to the next level,” said a determined Kaith, who is currently in Goa with the Indian senior team ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

“In Vishal (Kaith), we’re adding a top modern-day goalkeeper to our ranks. He possesses all the qualities and potential to excel at the highest level. With his natural ability and quick reflexes, I am certain Vishal (Kaith) will provide healthy competition in our goalkeeping department as we collectively work towards achieving success in the coming campaign,” said Head Coach John Gregory on the club’s latest arrival.

Kaith, who hails from Rohru town in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, was initially spotted by the state-level football setup. He was then nurtured by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Elite Academy from 2011 to 2014. The 6’2 goalkeeper later joined I-League outfit Shillong Lajong and played there for three subsequent seasons, making a name for himself as a budding young custodian. During his Lajong tenure, he also had a loan spell at FC Pune City for the 2016 ISL campaign.

Kaith subsequently made his move to Pune permanent, and was instrumental in FCPC reaching the 2017-18 ISL semis, contributing with seven clean sheets in 17 appearances that season.

Kaith has progressed through the youth ranks and represented India at the U-16, U-19 and U-23 levels, also recently receiving call-ups to the senior national team squad. At the 2018 SAFF Championships in which the India U-23s finished runners-up, he kept clean sheets against Sri Lanka and Maldives in the group games.

CFC’s eighth summer signing will join the squad in Ahmedabad for pre-season following his duties with the Indian national team.

(CFC Media)

Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Chennaiyin FC are delighted to announce the arrival of 22-year-old winger Lallianzuala Chhangte on a permanent deal. The current India international put pen to paper on a long-term contract with the club, after a two-year spell with Delhi Dynamos FC and a recent trial with Norwegian top-flight club Viking FK.

“Chennaiyin FC are one of the biggest clubs in India with a rich history in the Indian Super League. I am elated to join them as they celebrate the completion of five glorious years. It is my ambition to add to their success and achieve a lot in the seasons to come. Personally too, I feel Chennaiyin is the right destination for me to further my development. The coach (John Gregory) has shown a lot of trust in me. I am keen to repay that and help the club get back to its rightful place at the top,” said an excited Chhangte from Goa, where he is currently with the India senior team, preparing for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Oman and Qatar.

“In (Lallianzuala) Chhangte, we are adding one of India’s brightest talents to our ranks. Along with his electric pace and fearless approach, he has the hunger to succeed and develop further. We’ve all seen the potential he possesses and what he’s capable of. His involvement and progression with the national team also says a lot about his pedigree. We are now really excited to see him perform in the Chennaiyin blue,” said Head Coach John Gregory as the club gears up for pre-season ahead of the all-important 2019-20 ISL campaign that kicks off on October 23, with a trip to FC Goa.

Hailing from the town of Lunglei in Mizoram, Chhangte’s star began shining brightly when he was picked by the DSK Shivajians Liverpool International Football Academy in 2014. He impressed in the 2014-15 U-19 I-League, where he top-scored with 16 goals, as he also went on to train briefly at the Liverpool youth academy in England. The Mizo speedster subsequently represented the India U-19 and U-23 sides, with a loan spell at ISL side NorthEast United FC during the 2016 campaign. Chhangte was then drafted in by Delhi Dynamos, where he played in the previous two ISL seasons and registered eight goals and four assists in 36 appearances.

Nicknamed Zuala, the young winger made his senior India debut in December 2015 in the SAFF Championships. Only 18 at the time, he scored twice against Nepal in his second appearance, which made him the then third youngest goal-scorer for the country. With 11 senior international appearances and four goals under his belt so far, Chhangte gained more experience and exposure through a trial with Norwegian top-flight outfit Viking FK in the off-season recently.

“It has been a pleasure having Zuala (Chhangte) training with our squad. He is determined, willing to learn and hard-working – truly a professional footballer. In combination with his friendly and polite nature, it makes him a welcomed member of any squad. He should play at the highest level possible and continue his efforts with the Indian national team,” said Viking FK’s CEO Eirik W. Henningsen, about Chhangte in a club statement.

Chhangte, who will don the No. 7 jersey, will join up with the rest of the CFC squad in Ahmedabad later in September, following his national team involvement in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Oman and Qatar, scheduled for September 5 and September 10 respectively.

(CFC Media)

Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Chennaiyin FC are delighted to announce the signing of 30-year-old Romanian winger Dragos Firtulescu on a free transfer for the duration of the 2019-20 season. Dragos last featured for Bulgarian top tier side FC Dunav 2010 Ruse.

“I am very happy to sign with the two-time ISL champions Chennaiyin FC. I wish to taste success with the club and create lasting memories in my time here. I will work hard and prove that I am worthy of wearing the colours of this wonderful club. I have confidence in the Head Coach’s (John Gregory) plans, and I wish to repay the faith bestowed in me with my performances on the pitch. It feels great to be a part of the Chennaiyin family,” shared an excited Dragos in a phone conversation with the club.

Head Coach John Gregory spoke highly of the club’s latest signing. “Dragos adds a lot of depth in an attacking context for us. He brings plenty of energy, enthusiasm and experience to the table. His attitude is extremely positive, and I am certain he will prove a valuable addition to our squad even off the field. He has all the makings of becoming a fan favourite, in my opinion. I can’t wait to see him and the rest of the boys on the training pitch in pre-season!” shared the CFC gaffer in eager anticipation.

Dragos, who hails from the city of Craiova, becomes the second Romanian to sign for CFC following central defender Lucian Goian. Dragos is well-acquainted with Goian and his family, having also played against him many years back during the latter’s Dinamo Bucharest days. Dragos was an FC Universitatea Craiova player back then, where he began his professional career. The pacey winger went on to play for a host of Romanian clubs including Dinamo Bucharest, along with stints in Cyprus, Hungary and most recently Bulgaria. Chennaiyin will be Dragos’ first club outside Europe.

https://twitter.com/ChennaiyinFC/status/1165219138479853568

In Dragos’ own words, he was “born with football in his blood” as he grew up idolizing legendary Romanian midfielder Gheorghe Hagi. He began playing football at the age of seven and always wished to be an attacking player. A firm believer in karma, he staunchly affirms it is imperative to give everything to the sport in order to receive everything good in return. Capable of operating on either wings or in attacking midfield, the left-footed Dragos’ primary aim is to help the club lift a third ISL title.

The former Romania youth international, whose name means ‘beloved’ in his native tongue, will be aiming to become just that with the club’s faithful in the coming season. He signed off with a message to the fans, saying “I hope the fans will fill our stadium in great numbers in the coming season. We will give our everything to put on a solid show and give the fans what they deserve. Without them, we simply cannot succeed. With the fans, we are more powerful and hungrier to achieve success.”

(CFC Media)