East Bengal have signed Mark Zothanpuia from Hyderabad FC, adding a new Indian midfielder to their ranks. The 21-year-old has signed the contract with the Kolkata club and becomes the latest addition after Madih Talal.
Fellow ISL clubs Odisha FC and Punjab FC were also keen on signing the youngster, but East Bengal acted fast and have won the race to sign the player. Zothanpuia’s deal runs until 2027, and he is expected to join the first team in the new season.
Mark Zothanpuia signs for East Bengal on three-year contract
East Bengal FC has just signed talented midfielder Mark Zothanpuia on a multi-year deal! This 21-year-old prospect is definitely one to watch. Can't wait to see him shine on the field! ⚽️🔥 #EastBengalFC #NewSigning #MarkZothanpuia #EastBengal #FC pic.twitter.com/m1aSnggQEB
— TechnoSports (@TechnoSports_in) April 8, 2024
The youngster from Mizoram is highly rated by fans from across the ISL, and with an inspiring head coach like Carles Cuadrat, he could develop into an important player for the coming seasons. The Red and Gold side have been criticised for being over-reliant on foreign players. And their signing of Mark Zothanpuia will certainly go a long way in addressing those claims.
It now remains to be seen whether the 21-year-old can deliver on his potential, when he joins the first team. East Bengal have also offered Saul Crespo a new deal until 2026, to further bolster their midfield.