I-League: Churchill Brothers likely to sign Japanese midfielder Shingo Nejime

Photo Credit: Churchill Brothers Media

I-League holders Churchill Brothers could be signing Japanese midfielder Shingo Nejime with both parties having held advanced talks. Gabon striker Henri Antchouet is the only foreigner that Churchill have confirmed so far, but they are close to signing 28-year-old Nejime.

Nejime has played previously for Tokyo Verdy and Yokohama FC in the J-League, but was last playing for Roasso Kumamoto in the J-League second division.

Despite winning the I-League last season, the Goan club’s midfield did lack a bit of experience with Lenny Rodrigues being the only current Indian international. So the signing of Nejime will add both experience and quality in Churchill Brothers’ bid to become the first I-League club to retain the title.

New TD

After having negotiations for a few days, Churchill Brothers are set to name the legendary Sukhwinder Singh as their new technical director. Sukhwinder will be replacing Subhash Bhowmick and is expected to sign a one-year-deal with Mariano Dias remaining as the head coach.

Sukhwinder spent the majority of his coaching career at JCT, winning the inaugural National Football League title in 1996-97. He was also in charge of the Indian national team in two spells, famously guiding the nation to a 1-0 win over UAE in 2001. He also won the SAFF Cup in 2009, and reached the round of the 16 of the 2010 Asian Games with the India U23s.

His last job was as technical director of Pailan Arrows in 2011-12 I-League but he left in the second half of the season.

The 63-year-old has also previously worked with several current Churchill Brothers players like Dharmaraj Ravanan, Denzil Franco, Tomba Singh, Amandeep Singh etc.