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NorthEast United FC have officially announced the signing of Indian forward Ankith Padmanabhan on Tuesday, July 24. The 22-year-old was a part of the Bengaluru FC squad in the previous season featuring in a solitary game for the Blues at the 2023 Durand Cup in their 2-0 victory against Gokulam Kerala FC.
He won the 2023-24 Bengaluru Super Division League title with Bengaluru FC's reserve team apart from bagging two goals in as many appearances at the 2024 Reliance Foundation Development League for the Bengaluru FC Under 21s.
Vice-captain Ankith was a pivotal member of Karnataka's 2022-23 Santosh Trophy-winning side and even scored a crucial goal in their 3-1 semifinal victory over Services at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh.
"I am happy to join the NorthEast United FC" - Ankith Padmanabhan
Last season did not turn out as expected for NorthEast United FC. Although they qualified for the semifinals at the 2023 Durand Cup, they lost 5-3 on penalties against the eventual runners-up East Bengal FC. At the 2024 Indian Super Cup, they failed to qualify for the knockouts having finished second in their group behind Jamshedpur FC.
It was yet another heartbreak for the Highlanders as they finished seventh among 12 teams with 26 points from 22 matches in the 2023-24 ISL, thereby missing out on the playoffs spot. Meanwhile, the club's latest addition Ankith Padmanabhan opened up about what it means to him to have signed for NorthEast United FC. An elated Ankith said in a statement:
"I am happy to join the NorthEast United FC. It was an easy decision for me to make as I knew our assistant coach Naushad Moosa beforehand. I feel this is the right club for me to develop as a player and I am confident that I can equally contribute to the club’s success. I am eagerly waiting for the season to start. The fans here are incredible, so I cannot wait to see them in the stadium."
Welcoming the new signing, an equally excited head coach Juan Pedro Benali heaped praise on the youngster by mentioning him as an ambitious player who has a lot of potential. The Spaniard added:
"Ankith is a young, ambitious player with a lot of potential. He’s fast, technically sound and offers a lot going forward. We are happy to have him here."
Mandar Tamhane, the CEO of NorthEast United FC expressed that a talented player like Ankith is in the right environment to develop himself and elevate his game to the next level. Mandar said:
"There is no doubt about Ankith’s talent and potential. At NorthEast United FC, he has the right environment to learn from the experienced players and coaches and be a top professional."
Benali's men will kick off the new season with their 2024 Durand Cup Group E fixture against Bodoland FC at the SAI Stadium in Kokrajhar on Tuesday, July 30. Their group also comprises Odisha FC and BSF FT.
