ISL 2020-21: Nongdamba Naorem returns to ATK Mohun Bagan while Subha Ghosh moves to Kerala Blasters

20-year-old former U-17 World Cup star Nongdamba Naorem is moving back to ATK Mohun Bagan after cutting short his stay with fellow Indian Super League (ISL) outfit Kerala Blasters. The young winger joins the Mariners on a 6-month loan deal until the end of this season with an option to make the move permanent. As part of the deal, another 20-year-old, striker Subha Ghosh will head in the opposite direction.

Naorem was one of the stars in Mohun Bagan’s triumphant I-League campaign last term. With 2 goals and 5 assists, he was the x-factor for the Mariners under Kibu Vicuna as they strolled to the league title. Upon his return to Kerala Blasters and under Vicuna again, he was expected to play a key role in the Tuskers ISL campaign. However, that hasn’t really materialised with him featuring in just three games so far in a combined 183 minutes.

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Antonio Habas’ side were said to be eager to sign the youngster at the start of the season but the deal didn’t go through then. The Spaniard will hope that his return to the side will add more goals with Bagan still heavily dependent on Roy Krishna in that department. He will undoubtedly be a quality addition to their left wing, a position which has been a cause for concern following Michael Soosairaj’s injury in the first match of the season.

On the other hand, young Subha Ghosh joins his former mentor Vicuna at Kerala Blasters. The highly rated attacker was promoted to Bagan’s first team last season by the veteran coach and will be happy to rejoin his gaffer from last season. His deal with Kerala is also a loan with an option to buy. This should be a good move for him as well considering the fact that he already has Roy Krishna, David Williams and Manvir Singh ahead of him in the pecking order at Bagan while the Blasters are struggling for goals and only have Gary Hooper and Jordan Murray in the striking position.