Former Indian Super League champions Mumbai City FC have been very active in the transfer window as they look to build on their AFC Cup success a month or two ago. The primary focus of the club now is to get back to continental tournaments and for that they need to do really well in the league, an area where they lacked last season.
Therefore they have signed a horde of players but before that they bid farewell for six players from last season as they embark on a new season with a new look team. The Islanders announced the departure through a press release. “Mumbai City FC bid farewell to Mohamad Rakip, Igor Angulo, Diego Maurício, Cássio Gabriel, Bradden Inman and Vikram Singh who leave the Islanders today after the end of their contracts. Everyone in the Mumbai City family would like to thank them for their services to the Club and wish them the absolute best for the future,” the statement said.
While rumours suggest that Mohammed Rakip is joining East Bengal, there is no news about goalkeeper Vikram Singh’s new destination. Whereas Brazilian duo of Cassio Gabriel and Diego Mauricio also leave the club. Mauricio delivered some memorable performances in the AFC Champions League but the club decided to sign last season’s Golden Ball winner Greg Stewart who helped Jamshedpur FC win the ISL League winner’s Shield. They have also snapped up ATK Mohun Bagan’s Australian forward David Williams, who has been sensational in India ever since his arrival.
Recently there are reports of Mumbai City FC signing FC Goa’s midfielder Alberto Noguera. The Spaniard was one of the consistent performers for FC Goa last season. If he joins then he will bring control and calmness in the middle for the Islanders.
Mumbai City FC head coach Des Buckingham is building a formidable team as they are picking most players with prior ISL experience and therefore the expectation from this team will be massive once the season kicks on.
Des Buckingham in his first ISL season finished fifth in the ISL standings. Although he replaced Sergio Lobera at the eleventh hour, the fns and the management will expect a lot more from the Englishman in the upcoming season. He is getting together one of the strongest teams ever in ISL and will need to show that in the results as well.
