SC East Bengal announce domestic squad for ISL 2020-21 season

Panaji: SC East Bengal on Tuesday announced a 22-member strong domestic squad including their latest signings -- India striker Jeje Lalpekhlua and defender Narayan Das -- for the 2020-2021 Indian Super League season.

Bolstered by the arrival of Jeje, the squad comprises the likes of seasoned India players Balwant Singh, Narayan Das, Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Md. Rafique among others.

Lalpekhlua is a two-time ISL champion with Chennaiyin FC, having spent six years with them.

The 29-year-old striker arrives after recovering from a surgery in May 2019 when he aggravated a knee injury and did not feature in the sixth edition of the ISL.

"Every footballer in India wants to play for East Bengal one day. It is such a big institution. I am thrilled to join East Bengal in its first year of taking part in the ISL," Jeje

said. "I am hungry to play football again after a prolonged break due to injury. I cannot wait to don the red and gold colours and give my best every time I take the field," he added.

Jeje, known for his prowess in front of goal, is Chennaiyin FC's their leading goal-scorer in all competitions with 25 strikes to his name and was pivotal to the club's title triumphs in 2015 and 2017-18. The forward made 76 appearances in all competitions for Chennaiyin FC. Balwant, 33, spent the last two seasons with ATK making a total of 23 league appearances for the club.

"I don't have to emphasise how big SC East Bengal club is. It's indeed an honour to be wearing the famous Red and Gold jersey. I will give my 100 per cent to bring success and glory to the club and happiness to all its super passionate fans," said Balwant.

Balwant won the Federation Cup with Churchill Brothers before joining Mohun Bagan in the 2014-15 season, helping the club win the I-League. In the ISL, he played for Chennaiyin FC in the first two seasons and later moved to Mumbai City in 2017-18.