East Bengal sign Pintu Mahata and Abhishek Ambekar from Mohun Bagan
East Bengal have completed the signing of promising youngster Pintu Mahata and full back Abhishek Ambekar from archrival Mohun Bagan as the red and gold brigade prepares for next season after a promising I-League year last time. Mahata had come up from Mohun Bagan's youth academy.
Mahata came up the academy ranks of Bagan under the watchful eyes and supervision of Jo Paul Ancheri before he was finally able to make a mark in his maiden derby last year. Though the match ended 2-2, his goal was talked about for weeks and Bagan went on to win the Calcutta Football League breaking East Bengal’s eight-season streak.
However, recurring injuries have kept the player out of the game with him even missing out on the first leg of the I-League derby on December 18 that Bengal won 2-0. And now, TOI has reported that the promising youngster has decided to trade the maroon and green jersey with the red and golden one.
It has also been reported that the move was made upon the insistence of coach Alejandro Menendez’s request, who was present at the stands during the CFL derby that ended 2-2 in September last year. While 22-year-old Mahata has signed a three-year contract with the club, Abhishek has also committed for a couple of years.
Apart from them, East Bengal have also retained the service of Senegalese defensive midfielder Kassim Aidara for another year, despite the player not making a huge mark under Menendez’s era.
