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Bengaluru FC have officially announced the departure of Dutch midfielder Keziah Veendorp. The 27-year-old joined the Blues ahead of last season in August 2023 from the Dutch outfit FC Emmen.
Keziah was a part of the victorious FC Emmen squad that went on to clinch the 2021-22 Dutch second-division league title. The defensive midfielder featured in 15 matches for Bengaluru FC in the 2023-24 ISL in which he registered an assist to his name during the 3-2 away defeat against Odisha FC in Bhubaneswar.
In the farewell post on the official social media handle, the club thanked the player for his contributions. The caption read:
"Bengaluru FC thanks Dutch midfielder Keziah Veendorp for his contributions to the club, and wishes him well for all that the future holds. Thank you, Keziah."
A forgettable season of Indian football for Bengaluru FC
From changing the head coach mid-season to not winning a single ISL away fixture in the 10th edition of the league, Bengaluru FC had a forgettable outing in the 2023-24 season of Indian football. Englishman Simon Grayson who guided them to a runner-up finish in the 2022-23 ISL was replaced by Spaniard Gerard Zaragoza at the helm.
The 2022 Durand Cup winners failed to even make it to the knockouts last year. Having failed to register a victory in the three Group D matches they played during the 2024 Indian Super Cup, they did not reach the semifinals of the tournament. The 2018-19 ISL winners finished a disappointing 10th in the 2023-24 season with 22 points from as many matches.
Having already signed players including Rahul Bheke, Jorge Pereyra Diaz, Alberto Noguera, Edgar Mendez, Mohammed Salah, and Lalthuammawia Ralte, the team is now gearing up for a brand-new season of Indian football with a further strengthened squad. Gerard Zaragoza's men will begin the upcoming season with their 2024 Durand Cup Group B fixture against Indian Navy FT in Kolkata. The group also comprises Inter Kashi FC and 2023-24 I-League winners Mohammedan Sporting Club.
