Punjab FC has strengthened its team with the addition of four Indian players ahead of the 2023-24 domestic football season.
Midfielder Sweden Fernandes, goalkeeper Shibinraj Kunniyil, and defenders Nongmeikapam Suresh Meitei and Mashoor Shereef have all joined Punjab FC.
The Indian Super League club Chennaiyin FC announced in a statement that Fernandes, 23, has been recruited on loan for the 2023-24 season.
Fernandes played 15 games on loan for NEROCA FC last season, scoring three goals and assisting one.
"The talented left-footed youngster is a popular name in the Goan football circuit, having turned up for the youth teams of FC Goa, Dempo SC and Sporting Club de Goa," the club said.
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Shereef joined Punjab FC on a one-year contract after spending part of the previous season with NorthEast United FC.
"He started his professional career at Chennai City before moving to NorthEast in October 2020," the release said.
Shereef has appeared in 37 games for the club in three seasons.
The defender also made his debut for India against the UAE in March 2021.
Suresh Meitei, 29, has signed a one-year contract with Punjab FC after playing 10 games in the I-League and three games in the Super Cup previous season.
"He recently played for the Indian Army FT side that reached the quarterfinals of the Durand Cup and scored a goal in the group stages," the club said.
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Kunniyil had formerly represented Mohun Bagan, Kerala Blasters, Gokulam Kerala FC, Churchill Brothers, and Sreenidi Deccan.
He had the joint most clean sheets in the I-League last season while playing for Gokulam Kerala FC. Kunniyil represented Indian Air Force FT in the just-ended Durand Cup.
Nikolaos Topoliatis, the football director of Punjab FC said, "We are delighted to welcome these young and experienced players to our club as they will add valuable qualities both on and off the field and strengthen our squad.
"We are confident that they'll prove to be a vital part of Punjab FC's future as we move towards bigger goals as a club."
(With PTI inputs)
