The 32-year-old experienced goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya is reportedly joining the ISL team NorthEast United.
Arindam Bhattacharya’s career
Since 2012, Arindam Bhattacharya has served various Indian clubs in the I-League and ISL. These teams are Mohun Bagan, Churchill Brothers, FC Pune City (thrice on loan), Bharat FC, Sporting Goa, Bengaluru FC, Mumbai City FC, ATK, ATK Mohun Bagan and lastly East Bengal before his latest reported joining to NorthEast United.
Arindam played a crucial role for ATK in winning their ISL trophy in the 2019/20 season. He won the Hero of the Match award in the final of that competition.
In the next ISL season (2020/21), the ATK Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Arindam won the Golden Gloves award when his team finished as the runners-up (both in the regular season and playoffs).
But the last season (2021/22) was very tough for Arindam, who served for struggling East Bengal. The club finished that ISL season in the last spot in the points table (11th). His contract with the club ended last May.
NorthEast United are hoping for better season with Arindam
Two-time ISL semi-finalists NorthEast United was in the 10th position in the final ISL 2021/22 points table. The Highlanders, who played ISL semi-finals in the 2018/19 and 2020/21 seasons, are hoping to return to their better form in the early of the season.
According to the Times of India’s Sports Editor Marcus Mergulhao’s recent report, NEUFC have already completed Arindam’s signing.
Arindam is set to train in Spain for better preparation
In late June, Arindam confirmed his planning for a month-long training stint with the fifth tier Spanish football club Marbella FC. He is desperate to improve his quality in the upcoming season, so he has considered taking up this training.
Arindam told on the ISL website, “I have to prepare well. I asked my agents to arrange something for a better and proper training. They suggested me to go to Marbella FC, where I can train with them properly. I have worked under many Spanish coaches back home. So I think, I will be comfortable with a Spanish set up. I hope to prepare, as I expect there and come back with a good shape and a lot of confidence.”
