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East Bengal FC have procured defender Nishu Kumar on a season-long loan deal from Kerala Blasters FC.
Nishu won the Indian Super League (ISL) title with Bengaluru FC (BFC) in the 2018-19 season under current East Bengal FC head coach Carles Cuadrat. He was also part of the Kerala Blasters squad that finished runners-up in the 2021-22 ISL.
An ambipedal full-back, Nishu has the rare ability to operate on both sides of the pitch.
Commenting on Nishu’s move to East Bengal FC, Debabrata Mukherjee of Emami Group said, “Nishu’s quality, experience and versatility make him a fantastic addition to our squad.”
“He has already won the ISL playing under Carles and we are looking forward to seeing the very best of Nishu in East Bengal colours.”
25-year-old Nishu Kumar is elated to join the century-old club. He said, “It’s a matter of great pride for me to join an iconic institution like East Bengal FC. This club has a huge fan base, which is always a great motivation for a player to give his best.”
He added, “I am also thrilled to reunite with Coach Carles, who groomed me in my formative years at Bengaluru FC. We will play a lot of matches in the upcoming season. I will give my best in every match and try to give our fans the joy that they truly deserve.”
Coach Carles, during whose association with Nishu Kumar won a Federation Cup title (2017), a Super Cup title (2018) and a ISL title, praised the defender’s versatility and work ethic.
The experienced Spanish coach said, “Nishu (Kumar) is a very talented and hardworking player.”
“He has ample ISL experience under his belt, having won the league in 2019 and reached another final in 2022. It was while playing under me that he got selected for the Indian national team.”
“He is someone who always gives his best effort on the pitch.”
Born in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar, Nishu Kumar learnt the rudiments of the game at the Chandigarh Football Academy before graduating from the AIFF Elite Academy.
In 2015, the young defender joined Bengaluru FC and went on to win the I-League in his debut season in professional football.
Nishu Kumar became an integral part of the Bengaluru FC setup during his five-year-long stint with the Blues.
After featuring in nine matches during Bengaluru FC’s maiden ISL campaign in 2017-18, Nishu Kumar took his game a notch higher by playing a pivotal role in the Blues’ first ISL triumph the following season.
Nishu Kumar’s string of consistent performances for Bengaluru FC earned him his senior India national team debut in a friendly against Jordan in Amman on November 18, 2018, where he scored in his maiden international appearance.
After helping Bengaluru FC reach their third consecutive ISL semifinals in the 2019-20 season, Nishu Kumar signed for Kerala Blasters ahead of the 2020-21 ISL.
In the 2022-23 edition of the ISL, Nishu Kumar made 17 appearances and registered one assist, 12 interceptions, 22 clearances and 15 successful tackles. Besides, he also played every minute of Kerala Blasters’ Super Cup 2023 campaign.
Overall, in his 82 ISL matches so far, Nishu Kumar has racked up three goals, two assists, 82 interceptions and 189 clearances. The player registration is subject to completion of regulatory processes.
