FC Goa has signed the services of striker Alan Saji on a multi-year contract, the club announced on Sunday. The promising youngster scored two goals in three appearances in the RF Development League last season and impressed one and all with his skills.

The 18-year-old youngster expressed his delight after putting pen to paper with the Gaurs for the upcoming season.

Expressing his excitement about joining the club, Saji said, “Joining FC Goa is a dream come true for me. I’ve always aspired to train and play alongside experienced players, and I am thrilled at the opportunity to learn and grow with them.”

“I’m aware that FC Goa have closely followed my career so far, and their belief in my potential made this an easy decision. The club’s style of play is similar to what I’ve been accustomed to at RFYC, making this the perfect environment for me to showcase my abilities and continue developing as a footballer,” he added.

The Kerala-born forward has been part of the Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) academy since he was 12 and he has been rising through the ranks.

Manolo Marquez, FC Goa’s head coach, expressed his enthusiasm about the new signing, saying, “Alan Saji is an exceptional talent with a great future. He is fast, brave, very clever in the box, and has a very good aerial game.”

“He has developed remarkably, and we will give him a great platform to hone his skills further. It is, of course, a step-by-step process, but he has the qualities to be an important player for not just the club but also for India in the years to come,” he noted.

“During his time at RFYC, Alan (Saji) has developed into one of the most exciting talents in the country today,” an RFYC spokesperson said.

“His ability to operate effectively anywhere along the front line is a testament to his versatility and work ethic. We’re proud of Alan and believe FC Goa will provide him with the perfect platform to grow further and take Indian football to new heights,” he further added.