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Midfielder Zakeer Mundampara has finally completed his move to Mohun Bagan after getting an official release from his previous club United SC, Sportskeeda can confirm.
The 23-year-old had agreed personal terms with Mohun Bagan some weeks back but was awaiting the go-ahead from United SC. Zakeer had his first training session with his new club on Tuesday and revealed that he chose Mohun Bagan over two other I-League clubs because of Karim Bencherifa.
“I had offers from Pune FC and Bengaluru FC also but the coach here (Karim Bencherifa) personally contacted me so I decided to join Mohun Bagan. He is a great coach and I am looking forward to play under him,” Zakeer, who has signed a one-year deal with the green-and-maroon brigade, told Sportskeeda.
Following the departures of Jewel Raja and Manish Maithani and the failure to sign Lalkamal Bhowmick, Mohun Bagan needed a creative central midfielder and Zakeer fits in that requirement perfectly.
The former India U-23 international caught the attention during his spell with Viva Kerala and also had a decent two-year stint with Churchill Brothers. But Zakeer had a difficult time at Kolkata’s United SC as he wasn’t a regular and also struggled with injuries.
Having spent one year in Kolkata already, the Kerala-born player is now much more prepared for life in the City of Joy and is determined to revive his career at Mohun Bagan.
“I will aim to work very hard and become a first team player here. Mohun Bagan is a very big club so I have to give everything and help them win many trophies this season. The ultimate goal is to have a consistent campaign and a get a call-up to the Indian national team,” Zakeer stated.
Mohun Bagan have completed the signing of Zakeer just in time for the Durgapur camp, which starts from Thursday and newly-signed wide midfielder Nicolau Borges is also expected to be part of the camp along with a couple of African strikers, who will be on trials as the Kolkata giants aim to complete their foreigners’ quota.
