The defender from Manipur joins on a multi-year deal, following a stint at ATK Mohun Bagan in the previous campaign.
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Indian Super League (ISL) franchise Chennaiyin FC have announced the arrival of 25-year-old centre back Salam Ranjan Singh. The defender from Manipur joins the two-time ISL champions on a multi-year deal. Salam joins the Chennai-based franchise following a stint at ATK Mohun Bagan in the previous campaign. The defender is a product of the Pune FC academy and won back-to-back youth league titles before being promoted to the senior team in 2013-14, as he featured in the I-League and AFC Cup for the Red Lizards. Salam then joined Bengaluru FC, with whom he won the I-League and Federation Cup trophies.
This was followed by a brief stint with NorthEast United for the 6’1″ defender. Salam went on to join East Bengal for a period of two years. He has recorded more than 50 appearances in the I-League so far. The defender impressed one and all with his robust performances, possessing adept positional awareness and aerial ability, while not shying away from a crunching challenge.
“It feels amazing to join Chennaiyin FC. My aim is to help the club achieve its goals while garnering as much playing time as possible. Through my hard work and dedication, I hope to establish my place in the squad, and give my very best for the club and our supporters. My hunger to perform has never been greater, and I have been focusing on my fitness and self-analysis so as to become a better player and a better professional,” said a determined Salam (Ranjan Singh) from his hometown after completing the move to CFC.
CFC co-owner Vita Dani hailed the defender as a player with huge potential. She further expressed her belief that he will grow and improve by leaps and bounds.
“Salam is an Indian talent with huge potential. We are positive he will grow and improve by leaps and bounds at Chennaiyin FC. He will be a quality addition to our squad in central defence. We are really excited to see him in action,” said Vita on the club’s latest acquisition, who is set to shore up the backline.
A no-nonsense presence at the back, Salam was first called up to the national team in 2017. He was earlier picked at the youth level. Among his 11 senior caps so far are solid performances in the 2018 Intercontinental Cup triumph, along with game time in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup as well.
Salam went on to return to the ISL to play for ATK. He was a member of the squad that won the 2019-20 title.
Chennaiyin FC had earlier confirmed the signing of left-sided defender Narayan Das on a two-year contract. The 27-year-old joins after a season-long stint with SC East Bengal. He is currently the second highest capped player in the Indian Super League (ISL) with 107 appearances till date.
Predominantly a left-back, Das is also capable of operating in central defence. With over 200 senior career appearances for club and country, the Tata Football Academy graduate is an experienced campaigner who will fortify CFC’s ranks greatly.
