ISL 2020-21: FC Goa set to rope in NorthEast United star

FC Goa are all set to sign winger Redeem Tlang who broke through in the Indian Super League (ISL) last season at NorthEast United FC, The Bridge understands.

The Goan side was left in the trenches after the departures of head coach Sergio Lobera, captain Mandar Rao Desai, Jackichand Singh, Manvir Singh, Ahmed Jahouh and Mourtada Fall, Goa. However, the process of rebuilding is well and truly on.

Earlier last month Spaniard Juan Ferrando was brought onboard as the new head coach and as he revealed over a Zoom chat with a group of reporters, Goa have been looking at different players every day. “It’s a new situation for all clubs, not only for Goa. But I know that we are expected to find good players. But I am confident that we will have a good squad,” he had said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAoZ6CjvTWw

Redeem was identified as a potential replacement for Jackichand, who had already decided to leave for Jamshedpur FC. With the 25-year-old’s contract running out with NorthEast, it was easier to convince him to make the switch.

Redeem, who announced that he was leaving his club in a social media post on Sunday, was one of the most successful local players for NEUFC. A Shillong Lajong product, he was loaned to NorthEast back in the inaugural edition of Indian Super League season. Later in 2018-19, he joined the Highlanders on a permanent transfer and scored his first goal in a 2-1 win against Bengaluru FC in the first leg of the semi-finals.

View this post on Instagram

It has been a wonderful two years with the #NEUFC family. I will be ever grateful to my coaches, teammates and non-coaching staff for the happy memories. I was able to learn a lot during the past two years with the Highlanders. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the management, @highlanderbrigade and all the fans who were with us during the ups and downs. Able to be part of the historic squad and represent NEUFC in the semis during the 2018-19 season will be the best memory of many, which will be in my heart forever. As the journey goes on, it's time to bid farewell to the NEUFC family. But wherever I go and whatever lies ahead for me, I will always be from the Northeast! Thank you once again and wishing you all the best. ??❤️ #RT22

A post shared by Redeem Tlang (@redeemtlang19) on May 31, 2020 at 4:32am PDT

Last season, Redeem impressed further, scoring three goals in 16 appearances for the club. “It has been a wonderful two years with the #NEUFC family. I will be ever grateful to my coaches, teammates and non-coaching staff for the happy memories. I was able to learn a lot during the past two years with the Highlanders,” he wrote.

Goa will become the first Indian club to feature in the AFC Champions League (ACL) this season, where they will be able to register only 4 (3+1 Asian quota) foreigners. Understandably, they need to strengthen their domestic players’ roaster, especially after the multiple departures. It is understood that they are also chasing Sandesh Jhingan but so is everyone other ISL club and also, talks with Iranian World Cupper Roozbeh Cheshmi are still on.

Also read: ISL 2020-21: FC Goa in talks with Iranian World Cupper