Emami East Bengal unveil squad including star signings Jeakson Singh, Dimitrios Diamantakos and Madih Talal for 2024-25 season
With renewed hopes, a rejuvenated squad, and some headline-grabbing signings, Emami East Bengal are itching to kick off their 2024-25 season. But before they usher in a period that promises plenty, the club unveiled their squad for the year in front of the media on Monday, July 22.
During the summer transfer window, the Torchbearers moved swiftly and astutely to bring on board previous ISL's Golden Boot winner Dimitrios Diamanatakos, last ISL's top assist-provider Madih Talal, last Durand Cup's Golden Boot Winner David Lalhlansanga, Mark Zothanpuia, veteran shot-stopper Debjit Majumder, Provat Lakra and big-money signing Jeakson Singh. The new additions and the existing squad were part of the presentation.
Meanwhile, during the event, head coach Carles Cuadrat formally anointed Cleiton Silva, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Saul Crespo, and Souvik Chakrabarti as captains for the upcoming season.
The marriage of investors Emami Group and East Bengal Club is entering its third season. In the build-up to the upcoming season, with continental competition on the horizon, they have shown plenty of ambition to assemble a quality side.
Cuadrat acknowledged the contribution of the entire management in the squad-building phase during the summer window, stating:
"Emami Group and everyone involved in the project understand that a great opportunity to win more titles and compete strongly in Asia awaits us in the upcoming season. The previous season was a very important one for us.
"The winning spirit was back and everybody could witness the positive development around the club. Now players from other clubs want to play in front of our loud and passionate fans. It's a great sign to see so many top performers in the ISL joining us."
Thanks to their heroics in the Kalinga Super Cup 2023, the Red and Gold Brigade earned a spot in the preliminary stage of the AFC Champions League 2. They will host Turkmenistan's FC Altyn Asyr at Kolkata's VYBK on August 14. A victory in that game would see the Red & Golds qualify for the main Group Stage of the continental competition.
Commenting on Emami East Bengal's AFC ambitions, Cuadrat said:
"Playing in Asia after so many years will allow us to represent the club and the country at the continent level. This is motivating everyone to bring more quality to the squad. Emami Group is extremely receptive to all our demands and have responded in the best way possible. I can assure the fans that we are in the right process."
East Bengal FC's unveiled squad for the upcoming season
Goalkeepers: Prabhsukhan Singh Gill and Debjit Majumder.
Defenders: Hijazi Maher, Lalchungnunga, Gursimrat Singh Gill, Nishu Kumar, Mark Zothanpuia, Mohammad Rakip, and Provat Lakra.
Midfielders: Souvik Chakrabarti, Saul Crespo, Jeakson Singh, Madih Tala, Vishnu PV, Sayan Banerjee, Aman CK, Tanmay Das, and Shyamal Besra.
Forwards: Cleiton Silva, Dimitrios Diamantakos, David Lalhlansanga, Naorem Mahesh Singh, and Nandhakumar Sekar.