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Indian Super League rivals FC Goa and Kerala Blasters have done a mid-season goalkeeper swap by sending Naveen Kumar to Goa and Lalthuammawia Ralte to Kerala.
26 year old Mizoram-born Lalthuammawia Ralte is an agile goalkeeper who started his senior career with Shilling Lajong FC in 2011 and debuted against Goan giants Churchill Brothers the same year. He contributed to the club’s success, taking them to the semifinals of the Federation Cup the same season.
He joined then I-League side Bengaluru FC thereafter in the summer of 2014 and made his debut a few months later spending four seasons with them, winning the I-League and Federation Cup, but since the arrival of Gurpreet Singh Sandhu his playing time was limited.
In 2015, Lalthuammawia Ralte spend time on loan with NorthEast United FC in ISL-2 and then signed for FC Goa in summer 2008. But strong performances from young Mohammad Nawaz has kept Lalthuammawia Ralte on the FC Goa bench or even in the terraces.
29 year old Hoshiarpur district born Naveen Kumar started his football with JCT FC in Phagwara.
He started his senior career with the AIFF developmental side Pailan Arrows (Indian Arrows). Thereafter he went on to play for Mohun Bagan AC, LoneStar Kashmir FC, Salgaocar FC, Churchill Brothers SC and last season for FC Goa in ISL – Season 4. He signed for the Kerala Blasters with an aim to play regular ISL football, but he also had a strong teenager in India junior international Moirangthem Dheeraj Singh, who took the place in goal.
FC Goa head coach Sergio Lobera was delighted with the veteran goalkeeper’s return and stated, “I am very happy to see Naveen back. He is a player that knows our style of football and for us, it is very important that our goalkeeper is aware of that. Additionally, he shares a great camaraderie with the players and that should have a positive impact on the side.”
