Indian Super League (ISL) outfit FC Goa confirmed the signing of India's defensive stalwart Sandesh Jhingan on a 3-year contract, joining from Bengaluru FC. He is the third Indian international to be signed by the Gaurs after the arrivals of Rowllin Borges and Udanta Singh as the team from Goa continue their rebuild.
"I am happy at the chance to represent what is a fantastic football club. FC Goa have and keep doing so many things consistently well, so to be able to contribute to that effort is something I am looking forward to," Jhingan said after in the club's official release.
"I am excited to link up with my new teammates, the coaching staff and learn from all of them. Needless to say, I’m excited about the prospect of playing in front of the fans of this football club, who always seem to bring a fantastic atmosphere with them to the games."
After Sunil Chhetri and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Jhingan is undoubtedly the biggest name in Indian football and the first name on the teamsheet for every team that he plays for. After breaking through at the Kerala Blasters (KBFC), he spent a couple of seasons at ATK Mohun Bagan (now Mohun Bagan Super Giant), before being signed by HNK Sibenik in the Croatian top division.
He came back to join Bengaluru FC, with whom he won the Durand Cup during the 2022-23 season.
FC Goa’s Director of Football Ravi Puskur believes Jhingan will be an invaluable asset to his team. "We are delighted to welcome Sandesh Jhingan back to Goa, where he has previously passed through on his footballing journey. Since then, he has grown tremendously and established himself as one of the country's top players in his position. He brings a wealth of qualities not only on the field but also in the dressing room.
“Our search for players with a strong mentality and the ability to handle pressure led us to Sandesh. He is well-versed in navigating challenging situations, making him an invaluable asset. With his arrival, we aim to build a solid defensive unit, which forms the foundation of any successful team," he said about the signing.
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