Mumbai City have already started strengthening their squad as they hold on to the young and prodigious talents. Hence the Indian Super League’s reigning champions have extended the contract of defender Hmingthanmawia according to a report on Khel Now.
The Mizo defender who has not featured much for the Islanders is considered a big talent and may get his minutes in the upcoming ISL season. Hmingthanmawia who is commonly known as Valpuia joined Mumbai City FC in 2019 from Aizawl FC but has only featured four times for the Islanders.
“Hmingthanmawia has signed a long-term contract extension with Mumbai City FC,” a source close to the developments informed Khel Now. He is only 20-year-old and looks like a player who is in Sergio Lobera’s long term plans.
The 20-year-old defender learned the ropes at Aizawl youth academy and gradually rose through the ranks. He got his first breakthrough in the 2017-18 season where he featured regularly for the Reds in the I-League and also made five appearances at the AFC Cup for Aizawl FC. The following season saw him make 15 appearances for his boyhood club as they finished seventh in the I-League and was later roped in by ISL outfit Mumbai City FC.
Valpuia offers great agility and that allows him to feature in as a centre-back, a right-back if need be and even as a defensive midfielder as his passing is decent enough and his big frame makes him a real prospect to shield the backline. His versatility makes him a very useful player and he is someone who can shine under Lobera and hence he has been handed the contract extension.
He has also scored a goal in the little appearances he has had with the club and if given more time he can be a player to watch out for. Although his move to Mumbai City may have come in haste as he does not get to feature regularly in a team filled with star players. But he is still only 20 and has time on his side and with Lobera at the helm who knows Valpuia can be the next big thing in Indian football next season.
Apart from extending Valpuia’s contract, the Islanders have also announced that Bipin Singh has signed a five-year extension. Also, Pranjal Bhumij is set to be the next youngster who will be tied up with a long term contract. So Lobera has already started chalking plans for the upcoming season as they have a title to defend.
