ISL 2017/18: Ricky Lallawmawma in close talks with ATK 

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Ricky Lallawmawma played in the I-League last season for the Mariners

ISL franchise ATK are in close talks to sign Mohun Bagan defender Ricky Lallawmawma for the next season.

Ricky began his footballing career in Mizoram with former I-League champions Aizawl FC, where he went to become the captain later - and has played for other clubs in the Mizoram Premier League like Chanmari FC and Zo United. He moved back to his childhood club, Aizawl FC when they gained promotion to the I-League.

Two-time Indian Super League champions ATK (previously known as 'Atletico de Kolkata') have been rebuilding their squad after a poor season that saw them finish in the ninth spot in the standings.

Now, the two-time ISL champions are in close talks with the Mohun Bagan defender for a possible transfer next season, it has been learnt by Sportskeeda.

The 26-year-old has a contract with Mohun Bagan until the end of the season, and will be a part of the Mariners' squad for the Super Cup. Mohun Bagan will be taking on fellow I-League club Churchill Brothers on April 1 at the Kalinga Sports Complex in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha for the main draw.

Lallawmawma is one of the hottest prospects in India right now, and with his defensive capabilities, ATK will be capable of mounting a better challenge in the ISL than they did this season.

Ricky was a regular for the Aizawl side when they got relegated, but did well in the Federation Cup reaching the finals. He then moved on to the Pune-based club, DSK Shivajians the next year, but did not feature much during the ISL season. He was signed by Kolkata giants, Mohun Bagan last season and had a good season with the Mariners.

A versatile defender, Ricky can play anywhere across the backline, but was majorly used by the Green and Maroons in the left-back role. He featured in sixteen games during the recently concluded I-League season as Mohun Bagan finished third on the table, pipping their local rivals East Bengal.

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