Indian Super League side Kerala Blasters have roped in three youngsters ahead of the third season of the football competition in India. This is also the first time that any ISL side have signed as many as three players from I-League second division teams.
While the signings haven't been confirmed officially by the Sachin Tendulkar co-owned franchisee, the Times of India have reported that Vinit Rai, Farukh Choudhary and Nima Tamang from Goan side Dempo, LoneStar Kashmir FC and Gangtok Himalayan SC respectively, have become the latest acquisitions.
Assamese midfielder Vinit, 18, is known for his passing and his abilities to link the defence with the attack impressively. The Tata Football Academy (TFA) graduate was also reportedly on the radar of Delhi Dynamos. Farukh, 19, also a midfielder, was a product of the Pune FC youth academy. He is best known for his four goals for the Pune FC U-19 side against Mohun Bagan U-19, during an IFA Shield match last year.
Tamang, 23, plays as a striker for Gangtok Himalayan SC, who stood second in the East Conference in the I-League second division this season.
Kerala Blasters, ahead of ISL 2016, also announced the signings of Thongkhosiem Haokip, Rino Anto, CK Vineeth and Mohammed Rafi. They have also been rumoured to be keeping close tabs on former Manchester City forward Bradley Wright-Phillips. The 31-year-old currently plies his trade with Major League Soccer (MLS) side New York Red Bulls (NYRB).
The Tendulkar co-owned football side were the finalists in the inaugural season of the Indian Super League, while they finished bottom in the second edition of the league.
