Kolkata: Indian central midfielder Anirudh Thapa, who played for two-time ISL champions Chennaiyin FC for seven seasons, was Friday roped in by Mohun Bagan Super Giant on a five-year contract. The 25-year-old Anirudh Thapa, who chose to stay with the Marina Machans rejecting lucrative offers from clubs including Mohun Bagan last year, finally agreed for a move to the Mariners in a mega deal that is believed to be the biggest ever by an Indian footballer.
“Indian team’s one of the premier central midfielders Anirudh Thapa will now be seen in Mohun Bagan Super Giant jersey. The club has signed a five-year contract with the Midfield Maestro,” the club said in a release Friday. Mohun Bagan did not disclose the transfer fee which is believed to be in the tune of Rs 3 crore. If it is true, then it is the best-ever and highest deal offered to an Indian footballer by an ISL club.
Mohun Bagan club has also posted a video of Thapa donning the No 7 jersey at Mohun Bagan in their official Twitter handle. The Dehradun lad, who came up the ranks from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Academy, previously known as Pailan Arrows, was signed up by Chennaiyin FC in 2016 before becoming a vita cog in their attack.
Thapa made his national debut in 2017 in a friendly against Nepal. Since then, he has been a regular in Igor Stimac’s set-up with 45 appearances and four goals to his credit. He will also play a key role in the Indian midfield in the upcoming Asian Cup in January next year.
“I’m really happy to play for ISL champions Mohun Bagan and looking forward to don the iconic green-and-maroon colours. I hope to give my best to the team and make the fans happy,” Thapa said.
“I always had a dream to play in Kolkata, the hub of Indian football. I grew up hearing about the famous Kolkata derby. Whenever I used to play for the AIFF Academy – Pailan Arrows – I would come to watch the derby at the Salt Lake Stadium. Everyone would say you need to be a star to play in the derby. That dream will finally be fulfilled,” Thapa added.
Thapa had 103 appearances for CFC with eight goals and also led the club to win the ISL in 2019-20 and the Super Cup final in 2019.
“Since we are the champions, we have to continue the winning momentum. The team have become stronger this time with some good acquisitions,” Thapa said. “I’ve tasted success in Indian colours many times, now it’s time to replicate it with Mohun Bagan colours when we play the AFC Cup. It’s really tough to win the AFC Cup, you have to pass through difficult challenges. However, I am confident we can overcome those challenges,” the midfielder added.