ISL 2024-25: Kerala Blasters signs defender Bikash Yumnam from Chennaiyin FC
ISL 2024-25: Kerala Blasters signs defender Bikash Yumnam from Chennaiyin FC
Indian Super League (ISL) club Kerala Blasters FC announced the signing of promising young defender Bikash Yumnam from Chennaiyin FC on Sunday.
The 21-year-old centre-back has committed to a long-term contract that will keep him at the Kerala club until 2029.
The youngster from Manipur, has been a standout talent in Indian football. He began his professional career with Indian Arrows in the I-League, making his debut on February 5, 2020, against NEROCA FC. His impressive performances earned him a move to RoundGlass Punjab FC, where he continued to develop his skills and gain valuable experience.
In January 2023, Yumnam joined Chennaiyin FC in the ISL, marking his first foray into India’s top-tier football league.
Yumnam has also been a consistent presence in India’s youth national teams, representing the U-16, U-19, and U-20 sides. Notably, he was part of the Indian U-16 team that reached the quarterfinals of the 2018 AFC U-16 Championship in Malaysia, a tournament where India conceded only one goal.
His performances at the youth level have been instrumental in India’s successes, including winning the SAFF U-15 Championship in 2017 and the SAFF U-20 Championship in 2022.
In 2020, Yumnam gained international recognition by being the first Indian footballer to be featured in The Guardian’s “Next Generation 2020” list, highlighting 60 of the best young talents in world football.
Expressing his enthusiasm about joining KBFC, Yumnam said, “I am thrilled to embark on this new chapter with Kerala Blasters FC. The club has a rich history of backing and providing opportunities to young talents and I am eager to contribute to the team’s success and grow as a player during my time here.”
“We are excited to welcome Bikash Yumnam to the Kerala Blasters family. His talent and potential align with our vision for the future. We believe he will be a valuable asset to our defence and look forward to seeing him develop further with us,” added Kerala Blasters FC’s Sporting Director Karolis Skinkys.
