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The 2024-25 Indian football season is already underway, with clubs vying to conquer the season-opener Durand Cup title. Teams are still actively hunting in the transfer market to further strengthen their squads, and Punjab FC are close to landing a player that might completely galvanize their attack.
The Shers are set to acquire the services of Norwegian forward Mushaga Bakenga, who is currently a free agent, for the upcoming season, a source close to the proceedings revealed to Sportskeeda.
The 31-year-old striker was most recently plying his trade for Apollon FC in the Cypriot First Division
before canceling his contract this summer, reportedly due to non-payment of salary. Mushaga boasts a tally of eight goals and four assists from 22 appearances across competitions in the 2023-24 season. He remarkably scored a hat-trick in the league against Ethnikos in the relegation round to secure a 3-3 draw in April.
The Trondheim-born has a proven track record of being a bullish marksman with 109 goals from 362 appearances. Although Mushaga grew up in Norway, his parents are from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
His early years in football were at SK Nationalkameratene, his local club before he signed for Rosenborg BK in 2006. He made significant strides in his youth career and was integrated into the first team by 2009.
Throughout his professional career, Mushaga has garnered experience playing across multiple countries, including Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Japan, and recently Cypriot. An out-and-out forward by nature, the 2016 Norwegian Cup winner can also play down the wings.
For Punjab, this could be a pivotal addition to the attack, alongside the likes of Luka Majcen and Ezequiel Vidal.
A look at Punjab FC's foreign contingent for the 2024-25 season
After initially relieving Luka Majcen of his services, along with the entire foreign contingent of the previous season, the Shers re-signed the Slovenian forward, making him the first confirmed overseas player for the upcoming season.
As exclusively reported by Sportskeeda earlier, the club has also acquired the signature of Argentine playmaker Ezequiel Vidal, who will play in the midfield alongside new acquisition Filip Mrzljak.
Meanwhile, Sportskeeda can also confirm that Croatian center-back Ivan Novoselec will join the club. While Mushaga Bakenga will be their fifth overseas signing of the season, there remains to be seen who the club opts for in the remaining position.
