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In reinforcing their squad, Sporting Clube de Goa today announced the signing of left-back Nallappan Mohanraj from the recently disbanded Mumbai Tigers FC, at the SCG office Headquarters in Campal, Panjim.
“It is a fantastic moment in my career to be signing for the Flaming Oranje. I would like to thank the SCG President Mr. Peter Vaz, Manager Angelo Albuerquerque, Coach Oscar Bruzon and the players for making me feel welcome,” stated Mohanraj.
N. Mohanraj is just 18 days shy of his 25th birthday, but has already clocked up substantial playing time after initially starting his career with HAL in Bangalore. He enjoyed a very successful stint with Mohun Bagan where he won the Federation Cup in 2008, followed-up with the Super Cup and runner-up in the I-League in 2009. Last season with Pune FC he picked-up yet another I-League runners-up medal and is determined to go one step further with Sporting Goa.
The highlight of Mohanraj’s career so far, was lifting the 2009 Nehru Cup with the Indian national team in Delhi.
He has also proven leadership qualities, having been the captain of the India Under-18 team and played against the Academy teams of VfB Stuttgart, FC Augsburg and 1860 Munich, before participating in the 2007 AFC Under-19 Championship in Iran.
“Mohan Raj is a respected national player. He has fitted in comfortably with the rest of the squad which is very important and I feel he has the intelligence to pick-up our game model very quickly,” reasoned Sporting Goa Coach Oscar Bruzon.
In international football he models himself on Chelsea and England left-back Ashley Cole and hopes to show consistency like his idol.
“This is an exciting day for all of us, as we are confident Mohanraj will be an asset to the squad,” remarked Sporting Goa president Peter Vaz. “We may look to bring in another player before the transfer window closes,” added Peter.
Hailing from Tamil Nadu, Mohanraj is a huge Rajnikanth fan and by the end of the season he hopes to be dancing all the way to the I-League title.
