Mumbai, 7th July 2016: In preparation for season three of the Indian Super League (ISL) Mumbai City FC has signed in David Lalrinmuana, Pronay Halder, Lalhmangaihsanga Ralte, and Anwar Ali after their formidable performance in past leagues. With this Mumbai City FC eyes a bigger leap in rankings for the upcoming season.
David Lalrinmuana, who will turn 24 in November this year, was the captain for Aizawl FC in the 2015-16 I-League season. Lalrinmuana helped Aizwal FC get promoted into the top division of Indian Football and was even adjudged Mizoram Premier League "Player of the Year" 2015 and 2016. Nominated for the FPAI Fans Player of the Year for the 2015-16 season, he will be seen bolstering the midfield this season for Mumbai City FC.
Pronay Halder, represented Mohun Bagan in the 2015-16 I-League as a defensive midfielder and is one of the promising Indian players around signed by Mumbai City FC. Halder has represented India at the under-19 and under-22 levels and has been an integral part of the Indian National team ever since he made his debut under the tutelage of Stephen Constantine last year. The Tata Football Academy graduate first created waves in Indian footballing circles with AIFF developmental side Pailan Arrows and then went on to represent Goan giants Dempo SC in the I-League and FC Goa in the ISL.
Lalhmangaihsanga Ralte, widely known as Sena Ralte, started his career from the Esthar Academy and later went on to join Royal Wahingdoh promoting his team to the top division in 2013-14. Playing in the I-League, the left back developed a good rapport with Jackichand Singh and helped his team finish third in I-League 2014-15. Ralte donned the Chennaiyin FC hues in the 2nd season of the ISL, but will be seen at the Mumbai City FC camp this season.
Anwar Ali, a talented Indian Defender recognised for his dominance in aerial battles kicked off his senior career with Punjab Police, then switched to JCT where he made a bright start by bagging the Most Promising Player award in the Durand Cup 2006. His dominant performances in Dempo and Mohun Bagan got him selected into the national team where he was the rock at the center of the defence that propelled India on a winning spree in the late 2000’s.
Commenting on the selection, Indranil Das Blah, CEO, Mumbai City FC said, "We are extremely happy to welcome Anwar Ali, Sena Ralte, David Lalrinmuana and Pronay Halder to the squad. They bring in a mix of experience and youth which is essential to the team. Each one of them adds a certain value which will be key for the upcoming campaign."
About Mumbai City Football Club:
Mumbai City FC is Mumbai’s franchise in the Hero Indian Super League. Bollywood actor and football enthusiast Ranbir Kapoor and chartered accountant Bimal Parekh together own the team. The team’s logo is a reflection of a resilient fortress that stands proudly, surrounding the logo that signifies the unrelenting, determined spirit of the city. The seven stars symbolise the islands that form Mumbai. Trains that are the very lifeline of the city ply millions of Mumbaikars across its vast expanse and connect these islands. Each passenger, each citizen of the city, is bound together by their love for the place they call home. 20 million citizens, 20 million hearts pulse to a single beat - the heartbeat of Mumbai. Mumbai City Football Club has displayed a consistent performance in season one and two and has been recognized as a distinguished attacking contingent.