Jamshedpur FC have added the services of defender Pratik Chaudhari to their squad ahead of the ninth edition of the Hero Indian Super League. Chaudhari makes a return to Jamshedpur FC after three years. The 32-year-old centre back played the last two seasons for Bengaluru FC.

The experienced campaigner is delighted to once again join hands with the Red Miners and expressed hi joy after signing the deal.

“This was an obvious choice for me. I feel nostalgic to come back home to the amazing city of Jamshedpur. It has a huge legacy of football with the boisterous Red Miners supporting the team through thick and thin. I look forward to the added responsibility of defending the League Winner’s Shield and adding more. I am excited to work under the guidance of Aidy Boothroyd as the new gaffer along with my teammates and staff,” Chaudhari said.

Chaudhari has all the experience under his belt as he played 76 matches in the Hero ISL and he will look to bring his best while playing for Jamshedpur FC.

Meanwhile, Chaudhari made his Hero ISL debut with Kerala Blasters FC while he made his I-league debut with Mumbai FC. Subsequently, he played for Delhi Dynamos in the 2017-18 season and then went on to join Jamshedpur FC in the following season.

In fact, Jamshedpur FC had finished at the fifth spot in the 2018-19 season and Chaudhari had played a key role in the same. The defender then also played for Mumbai City FC in 2019-20 season. The 32-year-old scored a solitary goal of the Blues in the 17 matches he played in the previous edition of the tournament.

Aidy Boothroyd welcomed Pratik into the squad and said, “Having Pratik back to Jamshedpur is a real boon to the team’s defence. He is one of the best Indian defenders with a strong physical presence. A player like Pratik brings his leadership qualities as well as stability to the squad. A stable and steady defence wins titles and that’s what Pratik is here to do. I am thrilled to work with him.”

Pratik Chaudhari will join Jamshedpur FC in preseason in mid-August.