Mohun Bagan completes the signing of Yuta Kinowaki to replace Katsumi Yusa.
Kolkata: Mohun Bagan’s pro-active intent in the transfer market continues, as the Mariners have reportedly completed the signing of former Shillong Lajong midfielder Yuta Kinowaki and thus confirmed that Katsumi will no longer be seen in Green and Maroon colours from next season.
Last season’s Mohun Bagan captain, Katsumi Yusa, is set to leave the club. The Mariners have lined up the Japanese midfielder’s replacement in his compatriot Yuta Kinowaki. The former Shillong Lajong man had a fine I-League campaign in 2016-17, playing every minute and scoring two goals.Shillong Lajong have become the number one selling club in Indian football and Kinowaki becomes another player to use the Meghalaya club as a launchpad to the heights of Kolkata football and the ISL.
Should Katsumi, who played for NorthEast United in the ISL last season, leaves the club, as it seems the Japanese is likely to play for the Highlanders in this season as well. Last season, Katsumi, Sehnaj Singh and Souvik Chakrabarti were the regulars in the Bagan midfield, but with the Indian duo’s move to ISL clubs, a new-look midfield with Diogo and Kinowaki at its string-pullers looks to be the way forward for the 2014-15 I-League champions.
Meanwhile, Sony Norde gets an invitation to play in the Dada vs Maradona match on the 2nd October