New Delhi, July 27: With an eye on the glittering trophy and optimal glory, Delhi Dynamos have snared three exciting young players for the upcoming season of the Hero Indian Super League.
The signings show DDFC’s intent to build a well-balanced team that will not only have great attacking options but will also have strength in the midfield and the defence.
Arjun Tudu is a highly rated striker and joins the team from Army XI, while midfielder Rupert Nongrum and defender Chinglensana Singh Konsham have been signed from Shillong Lajong. All the three players will be making their debut in this year’s ISL and will be looking to prove their worth in the country’s premier soccer league.
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“I am very pleased with the three new players who have come on board. It has always been DDFC’s priority to build a well-balanced team and the three new additions just shows it. I have seen videos of these players and found them very talented. I am happy that we have been able to sign them and I am sure they will be instrumental in our team’s success in the new season,” said Gianluca Zambrotta, head coach of Delhi Dynamos.
Tudu, who hails from a remote village in Jamshedpur, has been a top performer for the Services team, having scored 10 goals to help them successfully defend the 2016 Santosh Trophy. He was an integral part of the Army XI which plays in the Kolkata League, before making this shift to the Dynamos.
“It is a matter of immense pride for me to play for the Delhi Dynamos. I have always wanted to be part of the ISL but never thought that I would get an opportunity like this. I thank my team for providing me with this great opportunity. I have followed the team closely and am happy to be playing for them. I hope that I perform to the best of my abilities, push myself beyond my limits and help the team win its maiden ISL title,” said the 25-year-old striker.
Rupert made his senior debut in 2015 with his boyhood club Shillong Lajong where he rose up the ranks from the youth squad. Starting in 2010, he impressed everyone in the youth tournaments before making his senior debut last year. He is considered an exciting young talent and could prove to be one of the best Indian signings for the Dynamos this year.
“I am a bit nervous as well as excited as it is my first stint in the ISL. I am really looking forward to train under the legendary Zambrotta and learn more about the game from him. I believe it is an ideal platform for me to perform and prove my worth to everyone. I know opportunities are very hard to come by and I am here to give my best shot and do as much as I can to contribute to the team,” said the 19-year-old.
Rupert will be joined by his Shillong Lajong mate Chinglensana. The 19-year-old defender started his youth career with Mahindra United in 2010 before moving to Air India. He then joined the Tata Football Academy for a three-year stint before making his senior debut for the Northeastern club. His steady rise in club football also saw him getting called-up for the national team training camp that is currently underway in Delhi. He is incidentally the third player from Manipur to have signed for the Dynamos this year.
“I have worked very hard to make it to ISL and it is a matter of immense joy for me that I have been selected to play for the Dynamos. The club has shown time and again its willingness to believe in the youth and I think it is a great opportunity for me to play here and develop as a player as well as contribute to the team’s success. I have also been called up for a training camp with the senior national team and the experience gained there will also help me a lot in my new journey with the club” said Chinglensana.
Delhi Dynamos FC President Prashant Agarwal was pleased with the signings and said, “We welcome the players to this club and are very pleased to have signed the trio. We want to build a well-balanced team and with these exciting players coming on board, I believe we are heading in the right direction. These are highly capable players and I am quite confident that their contribution for the team will be immense in the upcoming season. We wish them all the best and hope that they will play a huge role in the upcoming season,” Prashant said.
