Defending Indian Super League champions ATK Mohun Bagan on Saturday announced the signing of defender Sandesh Jhingan for an undisclosed fee.
The former Kerala Blasters defender, 27, was understood to be keen to ply his trade in Europe, preferably in Portugal, but reportedly changed his plans due to the pandemic and joined the Kolkata club, and will get to compete in the AFC Cup 2021.
"I am delighted to have joined ATKMB. I had a detailed chat with the coach and the owners and I admire their vision and I am very happy that they felt that I could be a part of the family," Jhingan said in a press release, issued by the club.
"I have a lot of friends already there in the team and I am looking forward to join them and start working together," Jhingan said.
Jhingan missed the entire 2019-20 season due to an injury and it remains to be seen how he lives up to the expectations at his new club.
"I want to say to all the loyal fans of ATKMB that together we will become not the only the greatest team in India but in Asia as well," Jhingan said.
Jhingan will join the squad in Goa, where the team is currently quarantining after arriving this morning ahead of the ISL, slated to begin in the third week of November.
Head coach Antonio Habas was excited to get Jhingan in the side.
"Sandesh brings a new energy into the team. He is an adept player and adds immense value to our overall strategy," Habas said.
The former Kerala Blasters player won the AIFF Emerging Player of the Year award in 2014 and debuted for the national team in 2015.