Ranbir Kapoor’s Mumbai City, on Friday, announced that Thangjam Saran Singh will be replacing Lalrindika Ralte due to an ankle injury.
Lalrindika Ralte, foundly known as Dika, is popular among the fans for his spectacular long ranger with his left foot. Dika, after injuring himself during the preseason with East Bengal, found himself waiting on the sidelines as he watched his East Bengal teammates romp a sixth consecutive Calcutta Football League title.
Dika, as luck would have it, would now again have to sit out the second season of the Hero Indian Super League as he watches his Mumbai City FC teammates launch their assault for the title. The Salgaocar FC midfielder, Saran Singh, comes in to replace the attacking midfielder – Dika, who was a constant menace to the opposition with his darting run and long rangers during the inaugural season of ISL.
Saran Singh, though new to Hero Indian Super League, isn’t a stranger to domestic success or goals and will be itching to get his hands on the trophy, that is missing from his trophy cabinet, with Mumbai City FC. Singh scored the winner for Salgaocar FC in 2014 Durand Cup final.
Saran Singh is quite an acomplished player and his record speaks for itself with two I-league winner’s medal, two Durand Cup medals and has won both the IFA Shield and Indian Federation Cup once.
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Indranil Das Blah, CEO, Mumbai City FC said, “It’s unfortunate to let go of a player of Dika’s calibre. He’s someone who was with us last season as well and we were looking forward to having him as an integral part of the team. We wish him all the very best and hope he recovers soon.”
The 2nd edition of the Hero Indian Super League begins on 3rd October in Chennai. Mumbai City FC will play their first match against FC Pune City at Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium, Pune on 5th October.