ISL: FC Goa sign Rowllin Borges on permanent deal
Rowllin Borges, who plied his trade for FC Goa in the previous season on a loan stint from Mumbai City FC, has penned a permanent deal at the outfit. FC Goa announced his signature today (July 1), stating that he has signed a multi-year contract which will keep him at the club until the end of the 2024-25 season and beyond.
Rowllin Borges, who is currently 32, has been a long-time servant of Indian football, playing for clubs like Sporting Clube de Goa, NorthEast United, East Bengal, and Mumbai City FC. Surprisingly, despite hailing from Goa, this will be his first permanent contract with the Gaurs.
After signing for the club, Borges said in a statement:
"I am overjoyed to continue my journey with FC Goa. Last season was incredible, both for me and the team, and I am grateful for the support from the fans, the coaching staff, and my teammates.
“Signing a permanent deal with my home state club is a dream come true, and I am committed to contributing to the club’s ambitions and bringing more glory to Goa,” the defensive midfielder added.
Notably Borges has also registered 35 appearances for the Indian national football team, scoring two goals in the process. Expressing his delight on the acquisition of the midfielder, FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez commented in a statement:
“Rowllin has been a crucial part of our midfield since his arrival. He is an outstanding midfielder with excellent technical skills. His ability to advance from the second line and score, thanks to his superb shooting, is remarkable.
"His experience is a valuable asset to the team. Retaining Rowllin is crucial for FC Goa as his leadership and skill set will play a key role in driving the team’s performance."
FC Goa's preparations for this season
After missing out on both the ISL Shield and Cup last season, the Gaurs are determined to turn around their fortunes this season. They have already extended the contracts of Jay Gupta, Muhammed Nemil, Odei Onaindia, and Arshdeep Singh.
Moreover, the club has secured the services of Muhammad Hammad, who was I-League 2023-24's best defender, and Indian Super League's top left-back from last season, Aakash Sangwan. They have also roped in goalkeeper Lara Sharma.