The 23-year-old Indian managed to score an impressive four goals in just 131 minutes of game time for FC Goa in the previous ISL season.
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Indian Super League (ISL) franchise FC Goa has announced on Sunday that striker Ishan Pandita has completed a move away from the club after it agreed to an undisclosed transfer fee. The 23-year-old grabbed attention last season after scoring four goals in just nine ISL appearances. According to reports, many ISL clubs including ATK Mohun Bagan and East Bengal were interested in the highly rated Indian forward, however he wanted to join a side where he could get game time under his belt. And Jamshedpur FC seems the favourites to get his signature.
Pandita departs the Gaurs after a season with the club. His lone season with the Goan club saw him making a name for himself as a ‘super-sub’ as the striker managed to score four times in just 131 minutes of playing time. Meanwhile some of the ISL goals he scored were last minute winners. He then managed to play six games in the AFC Champions League.
“Ishan communicated to the club during the course of the summer that he would like to explore other opportunities keeping his personal growth in mind,” Director of Football, Ravi Puskur said in a media statement issued by the club.
“When the other club expressed their interest with a suitable proposal, we felt it in the best interest of all parties involved to accept the offer factoring above all of Ishan’s wish to continue to seek more playing time,” the statement added.
The talented Indian forward arrived in Goa after making his way through the youth system in Spain where he found a place for himself at Lorca FC in the third tier.
Meanwhile, his impressive performance for Goa grabbed the attention of national team coach Igor Stimac that saw him picked for national duty and making his International debut against Oman in a 1-1 draw. And he was also in the squad for the remaining Asian Cup 2023 and World Cup 2022 combined qualifiers held in Qatar in June.
Pandita was also present in the recent two-week national team camp held in Kolkata from August 15 and managed to score against Mohammedan Sporting in a practice match. However, he couldn’t make it to the 25-man squad selected for the friendlies against Nepal in September 2 and 5.
He is an extremely talented forward who could make it big for India in the future. The Blue Tigers are still searching for an ageing Sunil Chhetri’s replacement and Pandita has got all the attributes to be the one. The 23-year-old is 1.83m tall, has decent goal scoring abilities, good in the air and is strong enough to hold off defenders. And the last minute goals he scored in the previous season are a testament to the strong temperament he has and the youngster will only get better in the future.
Meanwhile at Jamshedpur, Pandita will have to battle with the likes of Nerijus Valskis and Jordan Murray for a spot in the starting 11. At Goa, coach Juan Fernando couldn’t guarantee him more time on the field. As per the reports, Jamshedpur head coach Owen Coyle is willing to give more match time to Pandita.
