ISL Transfer News | Chennaiyin snap up goalie Vishal Kaith, Karanjit Singh extends stay

ISL Transfer News | Chennaiyin snap up goalie Vishal Kaith, Karanjit Singh extends stay

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Two-time Indian Super League champions Chennaiyin FC confirmed the signing of 23-year-old goalkeeper Vishal Kaith on Saturday. Goalkeeper Karanjit Singh has also extended his contract by a year, while midfielder Francisco Fernandes has bid adieu to the club after a two-year stint.

After spending three seasons at FC Pune City, Kaith has signed a long-term contract with Chennaiyin, moving from Hyderabad FC for an undisclosed fee.

“A new chapter awaits in my career, with a champion club in Chennaiyin FC. Their rich history in the ISL made it a very easy decision for me to come here when the opportunity presented itself,” Kaith told PTI.

“I am looking forward to helping the club win more trophies in the years to come. I believe in coach (John Gregory’s) plans and I am certain Chennaiyin is the right destination for me to take my game and career to the next level,” he added.

Kaith, who hails from Rohru town in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, was initially spotted by the state-level football setup. He was then nurtured by the All India Football Federation Elite Academy from 2011 to 2014. Later, he joined i-League outfit Shillong Lajong and played there for three subsequent seasons. During his tenure there, he also had a long spell at FC Pune City during the 2016 ISL season, before making the move permanently the very next year. Kaith was instrumental in Pune reaching the 2017-’18 ISL semis, contributing with seven clean sheets in 17 appearances that season. The 6’2 goalkeeper is currently in Goa with the Indian senior team ahead of the Fifa World Cup qualifiers. He progressed through the youth ranks and represented India at the U-16, U-19 and U-23 levels, before recently receiving a call-up to the senior team. Chennaiyin’s eighth summer signing will join the squad in Ahmedabad for pre-season following his duties with the Indian national team.

Meanwhile, 33-year-old Karanjit, who has been a part of Chennaiyin since 2015, will add goalkeeper coaching to his duties at the franchise. 

“The club is entrusting him with the additional responsibility while acknowledging his technical acumen as a custodian and the crucial role he has played in their achievements over the years,” the club said.

“I am glad the club has entrusted me with the added responsibility of goalkeeping coach along with my primary goalkeeping duties, and I look forward to delivering on both fronts,” Karanjit said, in response.

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