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The 2020-21 season of the Indian Super League came to an end as Mumbai City started a new era in their history under the leadership of Sergio Lobera. The former Goa manager led the club to a domestic double as they first won the ISL League Winners’ Shield and then defeated ATK Mohun Bagan 2-1 in the ISL 2020-21 final to lift the cup as well.
With the riches of the club, some Islanders fans are reassured that the club has already started establishing contact with a few local Indian talents while they have their eye on some of Asia’s and World’s renowned players to represent them in the Asian Champions League 2022 season.
Opposition clubs have started strengthening their squads as well to mount a challenge to Mumbai City in the 2021-22 Indian Super League, with Lobera favorite to win the double once again.
Runner-ups ATK Mohun Bagan has signed one of the young Indian starlets from Hyderabad and an experienced defender from NorthEast United. A forward has agreed to join Hyderabad as the club would be hoping to make it to their first ISL playoffs next season, while another young starlet has left the Mariners in search of game time.
Let’s have a look at four signings you may have missed after the completion of the ISL 2020-21 season.
#4 Aniket Jadhav to Hyderabad
Aniket Jadhav has sealed a transfer from Jamshedpur to Hyderabad and would be hoping to have the level of progress that many youngsters achieved under head coach Manuel Marquez.
Jadhav has had training spells at esteemed English clubs like Blackburn Rovers after playing in the 2017 U-17 FIFA World Cup for India. Since then, the youngster has played for Indian Arrows in the I-League and Jamshedpur in the Indian Super League.
The 20-year old already has two goals in the ISL and would be hoping to add to that tally for the NIzams in the 2021-22 ISL season.
#3 Ashutosh Mehta to ATK Mohun Bagan
Ashutosh Mehta representing NorthEast United
After a stellar season for NorthEast United, Ashutosh Mehta made his Indian national team debut at the age of 29.
The right-back has signed a three-year deal with Kolkata giants ATK Mohun Bagan, and Antonio Lopez Habas would be happy with the versatility of his new signing as Mehta can play at both right-back and centre-back if needed.
The Mumbai-born defender has represented both ATK and Mohun Bagan in the past few years and would be eager to put on the ‘Green and Maroon’ jersey in the 2021-22 ISL season.
#2 Komal Thatal to Jamshedpur
Komal Thatal was a sensation in Indian football after the 2017 U-17 FIFA World Cup, and the Sikkim-born player signed with ATK and has made 20 appearances for the club to date.
The lack of game-time has troubled the young starlet, and he would be looking ahead to spending time with his new teammates at Jamshedpur. Thatal will be putting pen to paper at the Red Steels for a three-year contract and could see his fortunes turn around at his new club.
Jamshedpur finished sixth in the 2020-21 Indian Super League points table, four points adrift of the playoff places, and manager Owen Coyle would be hoping that his team betters that in the 2021-22 ISL season.
#1 Liston Colaco to ATK Mohun Bagan
ATK Mohun Bagan was highly interested in Hyderabad’s Liston Colaco and after seeing their advances rejected twice, it took a record bid from the Mariners to prize away the young talent from the Nizams.
Colaco also made his international debut in March after a successful ISL 2020-21 season in which he scored two goals and provided three assists. The 22-year old is equally adept at playing on the left-wing, right-wing, and through the middle as well.
With Soosairaj, Manvir Singh, Roy Krishna, and Tiri already at the club, it is unclear how the former FC Goa man fits at ATK Mohun Bagan, but Liston would be hoping to impress his new manager and the fans as well with his quality footballing skills.
