The 21-year-old is a versatile defender capable of playing anywhere in the backline and has shown ability to contribute in attack too.
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Defender Nikhil Prabhu has joined Odisha FC after signing a two-year permanent deal, the club announced on Wednesday. Meanwhile there is also the option to extend for a further year. Prabhu joined the Juggernauts on loan from Hyderabad FC in January and made three appearances in the Indian Super League. Prabhu came up through the ranks of Mumbai’s local league before being signed by Pune City FC for their U-18 team in 2018. The 21-year-old is a versatile defender capable of playing anywhere in the backline and has shown ability to contribute in attack too. Odisha Fc didn’t have a great 2021-22 ISL season and are looking to add promising young guns into their squad ahead of the upcoming season.
Here’s us welcoming @nprabhu_4 back once again! ??
But it’s a bit different this time…?#OdishaFC #AmaTeamAmaGame
— Odisha FC (@OdishaFC) May 25, 2022
Prabhu started his footballing career in Gujarat when he was just nine. But later, he moved to Mumbai, where he captained the U16s and U18s state side before joining Mumbai FC in 2017. He represented several local clubs including PIFA Colaba, Kenkre FCn and then MDFA Elite Division side Mumbai FC. He was star of the Mumbai football, shining in the Khelo India games, MDFA Elite Division, and the Santosh Trophy throughout his time in the state.
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Hyderabad FC youth team signed Prabhu in 2019, he played five games in the I-League second division and netted one goal before being promoted to their senior team for the 2020-21 ISL. But the youngster failed to impress HFC head coach Manolo Marquez and didn’t feature in a single match. The Nizams missed the play-offs by a whisker on the final day of the league stage but Marquez was handed a contract extension because of the team’s impressive performances. Although HFC missed a top-four finish, the team was loaded with promising youngsters who would go on to become ISL stars and lift the trophy in 2022.
In January 2022, Prabhu joined Odisha FC and made his ISL debut against ATK Mohun Bagan in the same month. He played two more matches for OFC. Meanwhile the Kalinga Warriors didn’t have a great season finishing at the 7th spot in the ponits table. Mid-way through the season, the Odisha club had to part ways with their former boss Kiko Ramirez as the results weren’t coming their way. Assistant coach Kino Garcia took charge of the team on an interim basis but the fate of the club didn’t change.
Heading into the new season, there are still doubts about the new head coach and player signings but the Juggernauts have a young and talented core group of players at their disposal. Jerry Mawihmingthanga was their top scorer last season with 3 goals to his name in 20 games. It would be interesting to see whether OFC can hold on to the bunch of players. Meanwhile earlier there have been reports about ATKMB winger Michael Soosairaj singing a joining Odisha FC for the upcoming season.
