Mumbai FC make 3 mid-season signings to boost their push for recovering momentum

MUMBAI FC have sought to recover from their dip in form as well as injury crisis by making a few mid-season signings, welcoming to Cooperage some Indian players with a wealth of experience playing in the top division.

News emerged today that defender Naoba Singh, midfielder Ishfaq Ahmed and midfielder-winger Syed Rahim Nabi have joined Mumbai FC and they will take to the field for the Yellow Brigade after their paperworks are completed.

Ishfaq Ahmed, a 31 year old player, has been active in the national league since 2003. He has played for clubs like Dempo, Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Mohammedan Sporting and Pune FC in the past. In ISL he has represented Kerala Blasters in 11 matches; and last year he also served as an assistant coach in the franchise. 

Syed Rahim Nabi, like Ishfaq, has also played for all 3 big clubs from Kolkata in the past. Last season in the I-League he played for Bharat FC. He has represented Mumbai City and Atletico de Kolkata in the 2 editions of ISL. 

Naoba Singh is the youngest of the lot; the 27 year old defender spent 4 years each at Churchill Brothers and East Bengal. He played for Royal Wahingdoh last season, and did not make a competitive appearance ever since the club withdrew from participating in the I-League. 

Mumbai FC head coach Khalid Jamil, in a press conference today, said that the signings are meant to increase squad depth and create more competition within the team,

"Having more options is always helpful... I thought we could use more squad depth because we are playing 8 quick games from here on, and the players we signed are good."

The club takes on Sporting Clube de Goa tomorrow, but it's unclear whether the signings will be completed in time for that. Jamil said,

"All the paperwork hasn't been done yet. We'll be more certain about the situation tomorrow... let's see if any of them can be in the team."