18-year-old talented forward Alan Saji signs multi-year deal with ISL club FC Goa
FC Goa have further strengthened their talent pool by announcing the arrival of 18-year-old forward Alan Saji. Saji, who previously played for the Reliance Foundation Young Champs Academy, has signed a multi-year deal with the club.
The Kerala-born footballer joined the RFYC academy at just 12 years old and has developed into one of its most talented players. He rose to prominence in the recent Sanix Cup in Japan, where his impressive performances earned him a spot on the tournament’s Team of the Competition.
The Sanix Cup is known to be one of the most competitive tournaments globally, and Saji’s performances caught the eye of several clubs, including FC Goa, who successfully secured his signature. Following his exploits in Japan, the 18-year-old continued his impressive form by scoring twice in the Reliance Foundation Development League.
Speaking to the FC Goa media after signing the contract, Saji expressed his delight and believes that the club is the right destination for him to grow as a footballer.
"Joining FC Goa is a dream come true for me. I’ve always aspired to train and play alongside experienced players, and I am thrilled at the opportunity to learn and grow with them. The club’s style of play is similar to what I’ve been accustomed to at RFYC, making this the perfect environment for me to showcase my abilities and continue developing as a footballer," Saji said.
Head coach Manolo Marquez, who now has another exciting talent at his disposal, lavished praise on Saji’s potential and believes that, with time, he will be able to develop at the club.
"Alan Saji is an exceptional talent with a great future. He is fast, brave, very clever in the box, and has a very good aerial game. He has developed remarkably, and we will give him a great platform to hone his skills further. It is, of course, a step-by-step process, but he has the qualities to be an important player for not just the Club, but also for India in the years to come," Marquez stated (via FCG Media).
FC Goa will aim to compete for the ISL Shield title
FC Goa have slowly but surely begun strengthening their squad for the upcoming season. However, with Manolo Marquez now taking on the dual role of managing both the Indian national team and the Gaurs, it will be interesting to see how he handles both responsibilities.
Regarding signings, the club announced the arrival of Chennaiyin FC’s impressive left-back Akash Sangwan and acquired Real Kashmir FC center-back Muhammad Hammad to further improve their defensive depth.
Goa also made the signings of Rowllin Borges and Mohammad Yasir permanent after the duo were on loan from Mumbai City FC and Hyderabad FC, respectively. Lara Sharma has replaced Dheeraj Singh in goal, who left the club after his contract expired.
In terms of overseas signings, forward Iker Guarrotxena has re-joined the club after playing for Mumbai City FC last season. Serbian winger Dejan Drazic, who comes with a high reputation, will replace Noah Sadaoui, while Mohun Bagan’s Armando Sadiku is also set to sign for the club, replacing Carlos Martinez.
Marquez will certainly want more signings, especially to improve the team’s depth, as they aim to compete with the front-runners for the ISL title after finishing third last season.