ISL: Bengaluru FC sign former East Bengal defender Sarthak Guloi

Bengaluru FC (BFC) has officially confirmed the signing of former East Bengal and Mumbai City FC defender Sarthak Guloi on a two-year deal. The deal will keep him with the Blues till the 2023 season.

The 23-year-old defender started his career with Mohun Bagan in the I-League and then played at FC Pune City, Mumbai City FC, and SC East Bengal, in the Indian Super League.

"I am very excited to be joining Bengaluru FC. To be part of a club that has been so successful brings with it a huge responsibility, and I hope I can fulfill all the expectations the club and its fans have from me," Sarthak said after signing his contract.

"The move is a big challenge for me and I will be giving my all every single day. The management and the coach have shown faith in bringing me to this club and I want to repay it. This move will also give me a chance to learn from experienced players like Sunil bhai and Gurpreet bhai, and I am looking forward to meeting all my teammates soon." added Sarthak.

"I would like to welcome Sarthak to Bengaluru FC. He is a versatile player who can fill in at both right-back and center-back. Importantly, his vision matches with ours at the club, which makes it a positive start. He has played across many clubs over the last five seasons and will only gain experience at Bengaluru." said Head coach Marco Pezzaiuoli, on signing Sarthak Guloi.

Sarthak begins the fourth signing made by BFC, after Yrondu Musavu King, Rohit Kumar, and Alan Costa. The club had a season to forget last year, as they finished 7th in the league, and failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in the ISL. The club is set to take part in the upcoming AFC Cup which is scheduled to begin in mid-August.

The next Indian Super League season is expected to begin in mid-November like last year in Goa and will be played under closed doors.