The 25-year-old attacker, who is the first player from Jammu and Kashmir to sign for the club, has joined the Blues ahead of their upcoming AFC Cup playoff stage clash against Eagles FC.
Follow Us
Indian Super League (ISL) franchise Bengaluru FC on Sunday announced the signing of Danish Farooq on a two-year contract. The 25-year-old attacker is the first player from Jammu and Kashmir to sign for the club. Farooq has joined the Blues ahead of their upcoming AFC Cup playoff stage clash against Eagles FC. The footballer spent his youth career playing for the J&K Bank football academy. Farooq wore the armband across age groups and led them to as many as 12 titles. His performances earned him a move to Lonestar Kashmir in the I-League second division. Having impressed at the club, Farooq soon earned a move to Real Kashmir a season later.
“BFC is one of the best clubs in the country, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to be a part of it. My immediate challenge is to do well in the AFC Cup and the Indian Super League. My ultimate goal is to achieve success with the club and to grow as a player,” he said.
“Having played with Real Kashmir for five years, I am glad to know that Bengaluru FC was monitoring my progress. When I got a call from my agent, who told me that BFC was interested in signing me, we felt it was the best option for me to grow as both a player and to showcase my talent at the highest level,” added Danish.
The footballer was Real Kashmir’s joint top-scorer in a campaign that saw the Snow Leopards clinch the I-League 2nd Division title as well as earn promotion to the top flight. The Kashmir-based franchise managed to finish third in the table in their first season in the I-League, ahead of the likes of Mohun Bagan, Churchill Brothers and Gokulam Kerala FC.
Farooq is more than capable of playing on the flank and has previously turned out as a midfielder. The 25-year-old has registered seven goals and five assists over the last three seasons in the I-League, after amassing as many as 48 appearances. Farooq played a key role in Real Kashmir winning their first major domestic title, having won the 2020 IFA Shield.
“Danish has the experience of playing in many positions; as a striker, a winger and gives us a lot of options in attack. He’s a good character, has gelled well with the team and with his style of football gives the team a bit of technical quality. Danish was the captain of one of his previous teams, and also brings a bit of his leadership onto the pitch” said Bengaluru FC head coach Marco Pezzaiuoli.
Farooq’s addition marks the seventh signing of the summer for the Blues.
The Bengaluru-based franchise recently announced the signing of versatile Indian midfielder Jayesh Rane on a three-year deal. The deal runs through till the end of the 2023-24 season. Rane, a product of the Mumbai FC academy, has 85 caps in the ISL. He will strengthen the Blues’ options in attack, having joined following a four-season stint with ATK and ATK Mohun Bagan. Rane was previously a part of the Chennaiyin FC side that clinched the 2015-16 ISL title.
