Chennai: Indian Super League (ISL) defending champions Chennaiyin FC has signed two-time I-League winner Siam Hanghal on a one-year deal.
Hanghal joins Chennaiyin after ending a successful three-year spell with Bengaluru FC, where he won two I-League titles and one Federation Cup. The central midfielder from Manipur was on loan from Bengaluru to NorthEast United during the 2015 ISL and made 12 appearances.
The 23-year-old had a stint at the renowned Tata Football Academy during the early days of his career before joining AIFF's developmental side Arrows. Hanghal was loaned out to DSK Shivajians from Arrows and he played for the Pune-based club in the I-League second division.
In 2013, he joined newly-formed Bengaluru FC and was instrumental in their maiden I-League triumph as he started in 21 of their 24 matches. The medio made six appearances in the 2015 AFC Cup and also helped Bengaluru win the Federation Cup that season.
With NorthEast, Hanghal narrowly missed out on the 2015 ISL semis but was one of the standout Indian midfielders of the tournament. He returned to Bengaluru after the ISL and helped them win the I-League and reach the AFC Cup quarter-finals for the first time.
"Hanghal is a very talented midfielder and had a good season in the ISL last year including the game against us in Chennai. He is a good addition to our midfield," Chennaiyin FC head coach Marco Materazzi said.
Hanghal has also represented India at U-23 level and is looking forward to his new journey with Chennaiyin.
"I am grateful to the coach and owners for giving me a chance to join the champions of the league. Last year in the ISL was a great learning experience for me and I am determined to build on it this season and help Chennaiyin retain the trophy," Hanghal said.
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