Bottom-placed Hyderabad FC have completed the signing of Mumbai City FC defender Souvik Chakrabarti for an undisclosed transfer fee.
The 27-year-old, who played seven Indian Super League games for Mumbai this season, lost his place in the starting XI to Sarthak Golui midway to the campaign, and becomes second Indian player to move to Hyderabad FC in the January transfer window after 21-year-old Liston Colaco switched his alliance from FC Goa earlier this month.
Chakrabarti, who scored one goal for Mumbai this season in a 2-4 loss to FC Goa, is considered as one of the most versatile players in the league as he can play both as a centre-back as well as a full-back. Having started his career with Mohun Bagan, who recently announced their merger with ATK, Chakrabarti has played every single season of the Indian Super League, starting his stint with Delhi Dynamos in 2014.
Welcoming the newest member of the Hyderabad F.C. squad. Here's to an exciting new journey with Sauvik Chakrabarti!#AbHyderabadKhelega #HyderabadFC #ISL2019 #HEROISL #IndianSuperLeague #Hyderabad #LetsFootball #TrueLove pic.twitter.com/QLTynrTBId
— Hyderabad F.C. (@HydFCOfficial) January 28, 2020
After three years of service, the defender moved to Jamshedpur FC in 2017 before joining the Islanders in 2018. The 27-year-old has played as many as 78 ISL games so far, making 136 interceptions and 309 clearances in the process. This season alone, regardless of his limited game time, he managed 14 interceptions and 32 clearances.
His defensive abilities would come handy for Hyderabad FC, who not only sit at the bottom of the table but have also shipped 32 goals so far; most by any team this season. Thanking for his services, Mumbai City FC released a statement which read,
“All of us at Mumbai City FC would like to thank Souvik for his commitment and contribution to the Islanders and wish him the best for the future.”
Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @souvik_23
