Defending Indian Super League champions Hyderabad FC have announced the signing of 22-year-old central defender Alex Saji from Gokulam Kerala on a three-year contract.
“Hyderabad FC is a team that gives a lot of opportunities to the young players in the country and I am very much excited to be a part of this club. It is a great platform for a player like me.”
“I am looking forward to playing under coach Manolo and learning more to improve my game. It will be an exciting season, my first in the ISL, and I can’t wait to get started,”
Saji told the club’s website on Friday after signing a deal that will keep him in Hyderabad till the 2024-25 season.
Saji began his career with the Red Star Football Academy after being born and raised in Wayanad, Kerala. Since then, he has played for Gokulam Kerala and won the I-League title twice in his two-year stay with the Malabarians.
The 22-year-old is a central defender who can also play as a right-back. He has 26 I-League appearances to his name and recently started all three games for Gokulam Kerala in the AFC Cup group stages.
Saji was called up for the U23 national team for the previous AFC U23 Asian Cup qualification campaign after an impressive couple of seasons in the Indian domestic circuit. He is now prepared for his first season in the ISL, and the 22-year-old will be a member of the Nizams first team that will train under Manuel Marquez for the upcoming 2022-23 season.
His addition to the squad is expected to strengthen the Hyderabad FC defence. The defending ISL champions have worked hard to keep their already strong group intact. Marquez’s contract with Hyderabad FC has already been extended, as have the contracts of Akash Mishra, Bartholomew Ogbeche, Javi Siverio, Sahil Tavora, Joel Chianese, Halicharan Narzary, and Laxmikant Kattimani.
However, the backline has been weakened by Asish Rai’s exit to ATK Mohun Bagan, while Nikhil Prabhu made his loan move to Odisha FC permanent.
