# Kerala Blasters FC Captain Jessel Carneiro Joins Arch-Rivals Bengaluru FC on a Two-Year Contract

URL: https://technosports.co.in/kerala-blasters-fc-captain-jessel-carneiro-join/  
Published: 2023-04-26  
Updated: 2023-04-26  
Author: REMYA BABU S

Indian Super League (ISL) fans were taken aback by the news of Kerala Blasters FC captain [Jessel Carneiro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessel_Carneiro)‘s departure to arch-rivals Bengaluru FC on a two-year contract with the possibility of extension. The left-back had been with Kerala Blasters since 2019, where he made an immediate impact by playing every minute of his debut season and was eventually promoted to vice-captain.

He went on to captain the team in the 2020-2021 season and was appointed permanent captain before the 2021-2022 season. However, Carneiro’s contract with Kerala Blasters ends next month, and he opted to join Bengaluru FC instead of extending his stay with the Blasters.

> It's that time again. Midnight.  
>   
> Kerala Blasters captain Jessel Carneiro has signed a two-year contract with Bengaluru FC[https://t.co/7HMZMw9ony](https://t.co/7HMZMw9ony)
>
> — Marcus Mergulhao (@MarcusMergulhao) [April 25, 2023](https://twitter.com/MarcusMergulhao/status/1650931499921989632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## **Here are some key details to know about Jessel Carneiro’s move to Bengaluru FC:**

> 🚨 | Kerala Blasters FC captain Jessel Carneiro has moved to arch-rivals Bengaluru FC on a two-year contract. [[@MarcusMergulhao](https://twitter.com/MarcusMergulhao?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw), TOI] [#IndianFootball](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndianFootball?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/r4ZbQzgLu2](https://t.co/r4ZbQzgLu2)
>
> — 90ndstoppage (@90ndstoppage) [April 25, 2023](https://twitter.com/90ndstoppage/status/1650936624211959810?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## ***Reason for the Move***

According to sources, Kerala Blasters FC were interested in extending Jessel Carneiro’s contract, but the club offered only a one-year deal. On the other hand, Bengaluru FC coach Simon Grayson was keen on signing the experienced defender and offered him a two-year contract with the possibility of extension. Given the length of the contract and Bengaluru’s interest in him, Carneiro chose to move to the Blues.

## ***Carneiro’s Experience***

Jessel Carneiro has played for various football clubs in India, including Dempo Sports Club and Pune FC, before joining Kerala Blasters FC in 2019. He was a reliable player for the team, making 63 appearances in total. He also captained the Goan football team to a semi-final finish in the 2018-2019 Santosh Trophy.

> Jessel Carneiro![#JesselCarneiro](https://twitter.com/hashtag/JesselCarneiro?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#KeralaBlasters](https://twitter.com/hashtag/KeralaBlasters?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#BenglaruFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenglaruFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/JS1qDW7bPN](https://t.co/JS1qDW7bPN)
>
> — RVCJ Sports (@RVCJ_Sports) [April 26, 2023](https://twitter.com/RVCJ_Sports/status/1651205317630500864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## ***Bengaluru’s Need for Full-Back Options***

Bengaluru FC has been looking to strengthen their defensive options, particularly in the full-back position. Namgyal Bhutia is still relatively young, while Parag Shrivas has yet to make a significant impact in guarding the flanks. With Carneiro’s arrival, the Blues now have a steady fallback option if Naorem Roshan Singh is not at his best or is nursing an injury.

## ***Carneiro’s Final Game for Kerala Blasters***

Jessel Carneiro’s final game for Kerala Blasters FC was against Bengaluru FC in the controversial ISL 2022-2023 Eliminator. Kerala Blasters walked off in protest following an early free-kick that led to them conceding. The left-back played 76 minutes during the game and was replaced by Ayush Adhikari.

> 🚨| Our Ex-Captain Jessel Carneiro joins BFC.[@MarcusMergulhao](https://twitter.com/MarcusMergulhao?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)[#KBFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/KBFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/MmqScufrcr](https://t.co/MmqScufrcr)
>
> — Blasters Zone (@BlastersZone) [April 25, 2023](https://twitter.com/BlastersZone/status/1650933293767102464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Jessel Carneiro’s move to Bengaluru FC marks a significant transfer between two of the Indian Super League’s most prominent clubs. Kerala Blasters FC will need to find a replacement for their former captain, while Bengaluru FC’s defensive system has now been bolstered with the addition of an experienced full-back.

Read more : [Reviving East Bengal FC: How Carles Cuadrat Can Lead the Red and Gold Brigade to Glory?](https://technosports.co.in/wp-admin/post.php?post=427879&action=edit)