Former Bengaluru defender Nishu Kumar has moved to Kerala Blasters in a big-money transfer after spending five years at Bengaluru FC.

His capture was announced on Wednesday by Kerala Blasters as they gear up preparations for the 2020-21 India Super League season. The club had on Tuesday posted a video about the player suggesting that the player was on his way to joining the team.

According to news18, the deal will make him the highest-paid Indian defender. Nishu Kumar joined Bengaluru at the age of 17.

He debuted for the club’s senior team in a 5-3 win against Ayeyarwady United In the AFC Cup on the 13th of April 2016 against Ayeyawady United on the 13th of April while his debut in the league was in a 5-0 loss to Mohun Bagan.

The 22-year-old made 55 appearances for the club over 5 seasons and has also played for the Blue Tigers, making his debut for the side in a game against Jordan in November 2018, his one and only appearance in the national team.

Meanwhile, the All India Football Federation has mooted plans to hold the India Super League and I-League 2020-2021 seasons in a single location starting from November.

Also, the matches will be played behind closed doors with the India Super League set to be played in Goa and Kerala while I-League matches may be played in Kolkota if arrangements made are agreed on with government approval earned.

“FSDL (ISL organisers) is in conversation with authorities in Kerala and Goa to explore possibilities of hosting ISL season in one state, The Committee tentatively decided to host the 2020-21 Hero I-League at Kolkata provided the State Association obtains the necessary approval in writing from the State Government,” AIFF senior vice-president Subrata Dutta stated in a press release.

Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu