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ISL Champions Mumbai City FC agree three-year extension with Pranjal Bhumij

By Sanjay Jadhav 9 June 2021

Mumbai: Mumbai City FC have confirmed that Pranjal Bhumij has signed a three-year contract extension with the club. After four seasons, the young attacker has committed his future to the Islanders until May 2024.

Born in Assam, Pranjal started off his footballing journey playing for various clubs in Guwahati and then rose through the ranks at DSK Shivajians in the I League from the u18s to the first team. He featured for India at the youth level in the 2017 U-18 SAFF Championships in Bhutan and played in three out of the four games in the tournament. At the age of 18, Pranjal was picked by the Islanders in the 2017 ISL Draft, joining the club as a developmental player capable of playing anywhere across the attack.

Now 22, Pranjal has continued his development over four years with the Islanders – he has turned out for Mumbai City on 25 occasions and has scored one of the most iconic goals in the club’s history – an incredible 93rd minute strike from 30 yards out away to Kerala Blasters in 2018 in the ISL – his only goal for the club so far.

Pranjal made four appearances under Sergio Lobera in the recently concluded 2020/21 campaign and most notably got his first start of the season in the final game of the league stage against ATK Mohun Bagan. Pranjal was one of the architects of the Islanders’ strong performance in a must-win game as the club went on to lift the ISL League Winners’ Shield, and then later the ISL Trophy.

Pranjal Bhumij said: “For the last four years, Mumbai City has been an immense part of my life. I have been able to gain so much invaluable experience from the different coaches I’ve worked with over the years. Moreover, the club has put their faith in me and I cannot express enough how thankful I am to them. I am only 22, I have a lot to learn and achieve, and I did not have to think twice before committing my future to this huge club. I hope I can repay the trust of the management, the coach Sergio Lobera, my teammates and our fans and keep giving my best every time I pull on the Mumbai City shirt.”

Head Coach, Sergio Lobera said:“I strongly believe that Pranjal is one of the best young talents in India. We see him in training every day and the quality and potential he shows really excites us for what the future holds. More importantly, he’s a wonderful person. He is an excellent professional who is determined to learn and he is very mature and level-headed for a young boy. His attitude with help him a great deal in his career. We are delighted that he will be continuing with Mumbai City and I wish him a very bright future with us.”

(Mumbai City FC Media)

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Indian Super League

Hero ISL’s new regulation gives push to more Indian players on-field

By Sanjay Jadhav 8 June 2021

Mumbai: Hero Indian Super League 2021-22 season will witness an increase in number of Indian players in the playing XI, as the new Coach & Player Selection Guidelines of Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) now mandates clubs to have a minimum of seven (7) Indian players on the field at any point of time.

An increase in number of Indian players from six (6) to seven (7) thus means a spot lesser for foreign players which will now be capped at a maximum of four (4).

Since the inception of ISL, there has been constant progression, innovation, and focus to develop Indian football. The latest changes in player guidelines are incorporated with the League’s philosophy of bringing constant improvement to India’s premier football event. The inaugural 2014 season had witnessed a playing composition of 6 foreigners and 5 Indian players. Over the years, the League has gradually increased the spots for Indian players, with ISL 2017-18 having a mandate of minimum 6 Indian players on the field, which now has been further increased to 7 for the 2021-22 season.

The cap on foreign players to a maximum of 4 is in accordance with the Asian Football Confederation’s club competitions’ regulations. With the changes, clubs can sign a maximum of 6 foreign players of which one is required to be from an AFC member nation. A club also has an option to sign a foreign marquee player within the League-approved classifications.

Starting this season, FSDL will mandate clubs to increase their development player signing from minimum two to four, while continuing to have two of such development players be part of the match-day squad. The League witnessed a significant improvement in the performance of developmental players last season with the likes of Akash Mishra, Apuia, Jeakson Singh, Rahul KP, Asish Rai, etc. delivering breakthrough performances underlining the testament to the growth of young footballers in India.

A club can have a maximum squad strength of 35 players, with 3 registered goalkeepers. A club can also have an injury replacement for an Indian player (outside of the max. 35 registered players).

The squad salary cap remains at INR 16.5 Crore for season 2021-22.

(ISL Media)

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Features

Rowllin Borges agrees contract extension with ISL Champions Mumbai City FC

By Sanjay Jadhav 5 June 2021

Mumbai: Mumbai City FC have announced that midfielder Rowllin Borges has agreed to a contract extension with the Club which will see him commit his future to the Islanders until May 2024, with an option to extend for a further year.

The 28-year-old was a vital cog in the Mumbai City squad that clinched the unique ‘double’ in the 2020/21 season, winning the ISL League Winners’ Shield and the ISL Trophy. The Goan midfield lynchpin made 20 appearances for the Islanders in the 2020/21 season, scoring twice and providing one assist. With 1124 completed passes, Rowllin also finished the season in the top three passers in the league.

Currently a part of the Indian National Team squad for the Qualifiers of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the AFC Asian Cup China 2023, Rowllin has established his position as one of the best midfielders in the country and will continue to be a key figure for Sergio Lobera’s Islanders in a highly anticipated 2021-22 campaign and the foreseeable future.

Rowllin Borges said: “This team, this club, it is my family. I am delighted to commit my future here, with Mumbai City. The last two years of my career have been an incredible learning curve for me and especially the last season – it was nothing short of a dream for all of us.”

“Coach Sergio Lobera’s style is very unique, and it’s the style I enjoy the most. I have evolved both as a player and as a person under him, and it’s a great moment for me to be able to continue here at Mumbai City for the best years of my career. Last season’s trophies was just the beginning for us, and I am looking forward to celebrating a lot more successes with the Islanders’ family for a long time to come.”

Head Coach, Sergio Lobera said: “As I have said before, to win trophies you need to have good Indian players and I think Rowllin is the best in his position. He has consistently shown his quality and he proved it again last season in particularly tough circumstances. He’s a figure of inspiration for his teammates and everyone in the group. It’s really good to have him around. He is not only experienced, but also a great team player, and for me that matters the most. I am very happy that Rowllin has extended his time with the Mumbai City family and I wish him many more years of success with us.”

(Mumbai City FC Media)

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