ISL: Amarjit Singh Kiyam joins SC East Bengal on loan

Indian Super League (ISL) side SC East Bengal has announced the signing of Amarjit Singh Kiyam on loan from FC Goa. The 20-year-old captained the Indian national team in the FIFA U-17 World Cup held in Indian in 2017. Later, he played for the developmental side Indian Arrows in the 2017-18 season before joining ISL side Jamshedpur FC. But in September 2018 ,the promising midfielder was loaned back to Indian Arrows. The youngster has also made six international appearances since making his debut for the Blue Tigers in June, 2019. 

The Indian international had made 36 appearances for the Indian Arrows in the I-League before making his ISL debut for Jamshedpur FC in the 2019-20 season. He went on to make 15 appearances for the Men of Steel before making a move to FC Goa towards the end of the January transfer window in 2021.

However the youngster struggled to get enough game time with the Gaurs as he made just six appearances. Amarjit was part of the Goan team that reached the playoffs in the ISL and played two matches for them in the league stage. And then went on to make 4 appearances for the Gaurs in their maiden AFC Champion League campaign.

FC Goa has a very strong and settled midfield line-up consisting of the likes of- captain Edu Bedia, Glan Martins, Princeton Rebello, Albert Noguero, Brandon Fernandes, therefore it would be hard for Amarjit to get regular game time. Which is why the youngster has switched to the Kolkata side.

Amarjit is a hardworking midfielder who has got good endurance to cover the length of the field. He has a decent passing range and is not shy of putting in tackles. Meanwhile, the midfielder’s defensive ability along with relentless running would allow the attacking midfielders around him to play more freely up front. The 20-year-old is East Bengal’s first big signing of the season and will be looking to add some more firepower in the coming days.

East Bengal looking to build a better squad

SC East Bengal, on the other hand, had a dismal ISL 2020-21 season where they finished at the bottom of the points table. The last term was their debut ISL season and due to some financial problems the Red and Gold Brigade confirmed their participation in the competition at the last moment. Therefore they couldn’t assemble a strong squad. This time around, the club is trying to start early and build a better squad.

Last week, SC East Bengal confirmed their participation in the 2021-22 ISL season after the issue with sponsors Shree Cement was resolved. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee mediated with both parties and helped them find a solution that would see East Bengal participating in the eighth edition of ISL.

Earlier, the Red and Gold Brigade were also linked with ATK Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya. The 31-year-old has been pushed to the bench since the arrival of Amrinder Singh from Mumbai City FC. Therefore even though he still has one more year left in his contract the experienced gloveman could be looking at other options.