Hyderabad FC are all set to complete the signing of winger Makan Winkle Chote for the upcoming season!
The agreement for his signing has been put in place, only the paperwork is pending, IFTWC can exclusively confirm the news.
The 23-year-old FC Goa winger has two assists to his name in the 10 appearances he made this season. Chote mostly featured in the matches as a late substitute during his entire stint with the Gaurs.
Hailing from the Imphal valley, deep into the hills of Chandel district in Manipur lies Purum Chumbang. Consisting of barely a hundred households, it is this village that has given root to Makan Chothe. Being from a family of farmers, Makan’s decision to pursue the game of football instead of his studies was met with some resistance.
It was his uncle Khiang Athem Chothe who took him in and managed to get a trial at Kanchenjunga FC in Siliguri. The club promptly signed the then 15-year-old skillful winger.
After a few months in the semi-pro league in Siliguri, Makan’s uncle stumbled upon an announcement of a trial on Facebook of all places. The trial was at the erstwhile Minerva Punjab FC. After a few discussions with the club representatives and his family, the kid from Chandel district traveled north to Punjab.
The move to Punjab was a massive gamble and a whole new experience for a young boy from Chandel district. Unlike his peers, the schoolboy has not had any formal training. The gamble did pay off as he was signed after a successful trial. For Minerva Punjab, it appeared that they have unearthed a gem. Makan led them to the top of the youth football pyramid as Minerva Punjab FC won the Hero Elite League title in 2018-19.
The display earned him a place on the senior side. The big leap to play for the first team amongst professionals played on the mind of the young lad. Minerva Punjab was the reigning I-League champions at the start of the 2018-19 campaign and a place in the squad was hard to find. Earlier that year, the youngster was handed his I-League debut, when he came on as a last-minute substitute on 27th January 2018, in a game against Neroca FC.
His first start in the I-League came in the 2018/19 season when he got the nod to start against Real Kashmir on 31st October 2018. He was also entrusted with 5 appearances in their AFC Cup campaign that season. Within the space of a year, he had become an integral part of the squad. Last season saw him appear 14 times in the colors of Punjab FC with 2 strikes to his name.
Chote signed for Goa in 2020 and gained vital experience with them in continental competitions, appearing five times in their AFC Cup campaign and once in the AFC Champions League qualifications. He made his ISL debut with FC Goa during the 2020-21 season and then played in the AFC Champions League group round.
Hyderabad FC have already qualified for the ISL 22/23 season playoffs. The Nizams have won 11 of the 15 games they have played so far, and they had 2 draws and 2 defeats as well. But, compared to last season, Hyderabad FC have not been that lethal, and that is why Manolo Marquez’s side is looking to strengthen his arsenal with more options, as they look to continue defending their ISL title.
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