NEW DELHI: Delhi Dynamos FChave added two Manipur players, Milan Singh and Soram Porei, to their squad ahead of the third season of the Indian Super League. The move, as the franchise admitted on Monday, was taken to reach out to the strong North East presence into country’s capital.
“Soram Poirei is an exciting goalkeeper making his ISL debut while Milan Singh is a dynamic central midfielder who might well become the fulcrum of new coach Gianluca Zambrotta’s plans,” said Dynamos in a statement. “Milan has come on loan from DSK Shivajians although he has added to his reputation by turning out for North East United in ISL’s opening season. Porei has been the stubborn custodian for newly promoted Aizwal FC. It will be his first foray into the country’s premier soccer league.”
The pair are childhood friends and have played together at Shillong Lajong and Pailan Arrows. Porei, 23, represented Pune FC for two years before a one-year stint with Pailan Arrows, then transferred to Bengaluru FC. Most recently, he played for Aizawl FC colours during the I-League season. “It is my first year in the ISL and I am really looking forward to it. It is a very big opportunity for me to play for such a great club. It is a platform for me to learn and shine under the new coach Zambrotta. He is a legend and under his tutelage I believe I will learn a number of new things,” said Porei.
Milan, 24, began his senior career with Pailan in 2010. After three years, he moved to Shillong for another three-year deal, before being signed by NEUFC and then by DSK Shivajians. “I have played only one season in the league and have a very strong desire to prove myself in the ISL. I am very excited to have joined DDFC and feel that I belong to this city. I might be from Manipur but my heart beats for Delhi as a number of people from the North East live here and I believe they will come out in full support for me and my team,” he said.
Added Italian World Cup winner Gianluca Zambrotta, who earlier this month was named head coach of Dynamos: “I am very pleased to have Soram and Milan on my team. These two players are really talented and i look forward to working with them. Their names were discussed over the last couple of days among all of us, including club president Prashant Agarwal and the backroom staff. We believe that they fit perfectly in our plan for the upcoming season.”
Source: Times of India
