The youngster, who becomes the first Hyderabad-based player to sign on professional terms with HFC, started off with Senrab FC (London) in 2014.
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Hyderabad FC continued their focus on youth, signing city-born goalkeeper Abhinav Mulagada for the reserve team, the club announced on Saturday. With the aim of providing a platform for the development of talented local youngsters, HFC, which scouted Abhinav during the local trials conducted in April, have tied up the 16-year-old custodian to a long-term deal. “As all youngsters, I’ve always wanted to play for a big club like Hyderabad FC from my hometown. I’m excited to deliver on the pitch and honoured to wear these colours,” said Abhinav after completing the formalities.
The youngster who becomes the first Hyderabad-based player to sign on professional terms with HFC, started off with Senrab FC (London) as a kid in 2014 and was involved in Sunday league football at a young age. He spent time at the Leyton Orient academy in London, before spending six months at the Chelsea Academy U15s at the Cobham Training ground under Yves Ma-Kalambay in 2016 and 2017. Abhinav, who stands at over six feet tall, also trained with the West Ham United academy in 2017-18 before moving to India and joining ATK’s youth teams where he trained under former India keeper Tanumoy Basu.
Reserve Team Head Coach Shameel Chembakath said, “The youngest and the tallest goalkeeper we scouted during the local trials, Abhinav is a part of the squad for the Durand Cup and he has a great chance to showcase his talent. Our focus is on developing homegrown talent and Abhinav now has the opportunity to prove himself,” he added.
Recently, Hyderabad FC have strengthened its attack with the signing of Spanish striker Javier Siverio ahead of the 2021-22 Indian Super League campaign. Siverio, at 19, was a part of the Las Palmas B side that trained under current HFC Head Coach Manolo Marquez in the 2016-17 season.
“I am really excited to sign for Hyderabad FC and I cannot wait to make my ISL debut,” said Siverio after completing the formalities. “Last season, the team was very close to making it into the top-4 and I am sure we will be aiming for a higher finish in the upcoming campaign,” the 23-year-old added.
Meanwhile, the Spanish coach, who rates the youngster highly, only had good words to say about him. He adds, “Javi Siverio is a young striker who has played for the academies at Las Palmas and Racing Santander, where he also scored for the senior side. He is a natural finisher, is very clever inside the box and is also strong in the air. He is only 23 and will join Hyderabad to try and show us his qualities.”
Besides, Hyderabad FC also added further strength to their backline recently by completing the signing of left-back Pritam Soraisam. “I’m very happy and very excited to have signed for Hyderabad FC. I will give my very best for the team in our push to achieve our targets,” said the 25-year-old Manipuri defender after completing formalities.
