I-League: Pune FC sign Bineesh Balan

Bineesh Balan; Photo Credit: Pune FC

Pune Football Club has completed the signing of seasoned attacker Bineesh Balan for the upcoming 2014-15 season.

Bineesh, a former I-League and Federation Cup winner, joins Pune FC after a trophy-laden six season spell with Goan side Churchill Brothers.

The Thissur-born attacker thus becomes the fifth Indian and seventh overall signing under Coach Karim Bencherifa.

Pune FC Head Operations, Chirag Tanna said: “Bineesh’s explosive pace and eye for goal makes him an important signing for our Club. He played a very important role when Churchill Brothers won the I-League a couple of years back, and I am certain that he will do very well at Pune FC.”

Speaking after completing formalities, Bineesh said: “I am extremely happy to be a part of the Pune FC family. I have won a lot with Churchill Brothers in the last six years, and want to achieve the same success with Pune FC.”

Twenty-five year old Bineesh began his footballing career with the famed Tata Football Academy which he joined as a fifteen year old in 2004. In the four years he spent at the academy, Bineesh represented TFA in various competitions at state and national level before graduating in 2008.

At the start of the 2008-09 season, the youngster was snapped up by Churchill Brothers where he began his professional career and his consistent performances saw him become the mainstay of the side over six seasons.

During this period, Bineesh went on to win the I-League in 2008-09 and 2012-13, Durand Cup and IFA Shield in 2011, and the Federation Cup in 2014 for the Goan side. Furthermore, the Keralite also played a crucial role in Churchill’s campaign in the AFC Cup in 2013 and 2014.

Bineesh also added a distinctive record to his name in the 2012-13 season, when he scored a hattrick inside 40 minutes in Churchill’s 8-4 win over Sporting Goa.

As a youngster, Bineesh has also represented Indian age group sides (U14 & U19) in various international competitions.