I-League: Goalkeeper Abhra Mondal rejoins East Bengal

After spending a couple of seasons at Pune FC, 26-year-old goalkeeper Abhra Mondal has rejoined East Bengal on a permanent basis.

Abhra started his career with East Bengal, spending six years there, before joining Pune FC on loan in 2011. He made the switch permanent at the start of the 2012-13 season, helping the Red Lizards finish runners-up.

The custodian’s first spell at East Bengal was full of ups and downs as he had to bear the embarrassment of conceding five against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan in the 2009-10 I-League. But later that season, he helped East Bengal win the Federation Cup without conceding in the entire tournament. He also made three stops in the penalty shootout against Shillong Lajong in the final.

Abhra is yet to be capped at international level but has also won the Santosh Trophy with his home state Bengal.

The signing of Abhra casts a doubt on the future of young Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, but a source close to East Bengal refused to confirm the Punjabi goalkeeper’s exit.