Chennaiyin FC have signed former Gokulam Kerala FC defender Deepak Devrani for the upcoming Indian Super League season. The versatile defender has signed a one year contract with the two time ISL winners.
This will be Devrani’s ISL comeback after he guided Gokulam Kerala to their maiden I-League title last season. He played a very crucial role for the Malabarians slotting in at the heart of the defence and averting danger. His impressive performances earned him a place in the ‘I-league Team of the Season.’
“Someone who has come-off as a key asset in a title winning campaign of the I-league last season [winner with Gokulam Kerala] will be eager to take that one step above in the ISL. We are happy to enable him in that endeavour,” CFC co-owner Vita Dani said.
Devrani plied his trade for FC Pune City in the inaugural Indian Super League season in 2014. Therefore he is all set to make a comeback in India’s elite league after seven years.
“I am extremely delighted about joining Chennayin FC. It is a very strong team, very promising and I very much look forward to joining my teammates. It feels amazing. It is a leap that I’ve taken and I’m all set to put my best foot forward in every game,” Devrani said in his first comments to the club.
The 28-year-old has a great amount of experience in the Indian football circuit as he learned the ropes at Chandigarh Football Academy and then spent some time at East Bengal’s junior. He made his I-league debut in the 2012/13 season for Pailan Arrows which is now known as Indian Arrows. Devrani has been a part of three title-winning seasons with Mohun Bagan, Minerva Punjab and Gokulam Kerala. He was a very pivotal part of both Minerva and Gokulam Kerala’s I-League winning journey.
Devrani will look to help the Marina Machans with his ample amount of experience in defence. The 28-year-old will add a lot of depth to this Chennaiyin FC.
“The plan is always to win the trophy and the shield. Winning the ISL trophy would mean a third one for Chennayin FC and a first one for me. That would be perfect and I am ready to put in the hard work required to achieve the same,” Devrani added.
