East Bengal have captured the signature of striker Gagandeep Bali for the 2018-19 season. The 27-year-old forward was a crucial part of the Minerva Punjab side which went on to capture the I-League title in its very first season in the top-flight of Indian football.
“Gagandeep Bali who played for Minerva Punjab FC in 2017-18 has joined Kingfisher East Bengal Football Team for season 2018-19.Minerva Punjab FC have sent their No Objection Certificate and other relevant clearance documents to East Bengal Club today,” the Kolkata giants said in a statement.
The versatile forward scored three goals in Minerva’s title-winning campaign and can play in a number of positions in the front-line. The Punjab-born man had spent three seasons with Goan club Salgaocar FC before making the move to Minerva last year.
Gagangdeep was a workhorse for Minerva last season and filled in many different positions for coach Khogen Singh depending on the game situation.
He becomes the second Minerva player to sign for the Red and Golds this summer after Senegal's Kassim Aidara had completed his move a few days back.
East Bengal had also initially claimed the signing of Minerva's Sukhdev Singh although ultimately the full-back ended up joining their arch-rivals Mohun Bagan.
