Odisha FC have completed the signing of defender Amey Ranawade on loan from Mumbai City FC, IFTWC can confirm.
The 25-year-old Amey is returning to the field after recovering from a knee injury that kept him out for the entire previous season of the Indian Super League. The injury occurred during the semifinal of the 2022 Durand Cup against Mohammedan SC, which led to Amey undergoing surgery. His last appearance was in September, and he did not feature in a game since then.
During Amey’s absence, Mumbai City had players like Rahul Bheke and Sanjeev Stalin step up and perform admirably. They filled the void left by Amey and contributed significantly to the team’s success. Mumbai has now made the decision to place their trust in the players who stepped up last season, and the loan move is undoubtedly a positive development for Amey as well. This choice ensures that Amey, who might have faced challenges in terms of playing time, now has a good opportunity ahead to prove his worth and get back into the starting lineup.
For Odisha, signing Ranawade could be seen as a calculated risk that has the potential to pay off well. It will depend on whether he can regain the form he showed in previous seasons while playing for the Islanders. If Amey can showcase his abilities and perform at his best at the Kalinga Stadium, it could greatly benefit the Juggernauts. Ranawade previously had more than 40 appearances for Mumbai across all competitions over three seasons.
Odisha, under the guidance of Sergio Lobera, is currently embarking on an exciting new project. They have made some impressive moves in the transfer market to bolster their squad. In addition to securing the signing of Ranawade, Odisha are in advanced talks with Mohun Bagan to acquire the services of Liston Colaco. Furthermore, Odisha has successfully completed deals for midfielder Lalliansanga Renthlei from Rajasthan United and Dinliana from Jamshedpur.
Additionally, Lobera has managed to reunite with two of his favorite players, Mourtada Fall and Ahmed Jahouh, who have made the move from Mumbai to Odisha. Their familiarity with Lobera’s tactics and style of play should prove beneficial for the team.
In terms of contract extensions, Odisha recently announced the extension of goalkeeper Amrinder Singh’s contract until 2026, ensuring stability in the goalkeeping position. They have also secured the services of their top scorer, Diego Mauricio, by extending his contract until 2025.
Mumbai City FC, on the other hand, has made a significant signing for the upcoming 2023-24 season, securing the services of Akash Mishra from Hyderabad. In addition to Mishra, the Islanders have also successfully completed a deal to bring Spanish defender Tiri to the club on a free transfer, thus adding valuable experience and defensive prowess to their team.
Mumbai City has also shown intent in retaining their key players. They have handed out contract extensions to several individuals, including Vinit Rai, Ayush Chhikara, Mehtab Singh, Alberto Noguera, Phurba Lachenpa, Rostyn Griffiths, Rahul Bheke, Vikram Pratap Singh, and Jorge Pereyra Diaz. These extensions showcase Mumbai’s goal to maintain a stable core and ensure continuity within the team. Nevertheless, Des Buckingham’s team has seen significant departures as well and will need to adequately fill those positions if they want to defend their title next season.
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