Exclusive ISL Transfer News: Odisha FC sign Australian Osama Malik, Chennaiyin FC sign Sajal Bag and Aakash Sangwan

Exclusive ISL Transfer News, Odisha FC sign Australian player Osama Malik. While Chennaiyin FC sign duo of Sajal Bag and Aakash Sangwan.

Odisha FC sign highly rated Australian Osama Malik

Odisha FC announced Australian Osama Malik has signed a year-long deal with the Indian Super League (ISL) side on Monday.

Osama, who has had previous spells in the A-League with Adelaide United, North Queensland Fury, Melbourne City, and most recently, Perth Glory, is a versatile player, who can operate as a central defender, full-back, and holding midfielder.

The former Australia U-20 international added some overseas experience via his spell with the Saudi Arabian club Al-Batin.

Having played his junior football with Croydon Kings, West Adelaide, and Adelaide Raiders, Malik joined Adelaide United in 2008.

A year later he joined North Queensland Fury (now defunct) and spent two seasons with them ahead of a return to his native Adelaide in 2011. The 1.85m utility man duly became a first-team mainstay for the Reds, helping them take out the 2013-14 Premiership and claim the 2014 FFA Cup.

Following a 2016 move to Melbourne City, he again became a regular starter and went on to claim another FFA Cup winners' medal. The local Adelaide product received his big break when he was selected in the Reds' inaugural National Youth League squad at the age of 17 after being signed by the local South Australian club Raiders.

Fine performances in the Reds' Youth Team led to 'Ozzie' joining United's senior squad for the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup in Japan, where he made his senior debut appearance in a 13-minute cameo against J-League giants Gamba Osaka.

Exclusive ISL Transfer News: Chennaiyin FC sign young duo of Sajal Bag and Aakash Sangwan

Chennaiyin FC have bolstered their squad with the signings of defender Aakash Sangwan and midfielder Sajal Bag on two-year contracts ahead of the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season.

While the 26-year-old Sangwan is the fourth defender signed by Chennaiyin this summer, promising West Bengal youngster Bag, becomes the seventh midfielder to join the club.Both players will be playing in the Indian Super League for the first time.

The left-footed Sangwan will be joining Chennaiyin FC from RoundGlass Punjab, formerly known as Minerva Punjab, with whom he lifted the I-League title in 2018.

Bag, on the other hand, will join Chennaiyin FC's ranks after an impressive showing in West Bengal's runners-up finish in the Santosh Trophy.

"In Aakash, we have an I-League winner who has shown on many occasions that he is a player that can be relied upon in the backline. We are also aware of young Sajal's exploits in the recently concluded Santosh Trophy with Bengal and we believe we can provide him the support he needs to break through," said Chennaiyin FC co-owner Vita Dani.

Haryana-born footballer Sangwan has a sizable amount of experience under his belt with 66 matches in his professional career. Since making his debut for The Warriors in 2016, he has played five I-League seasons for them, scoring one goal and providing two assists. He also had a brief stint with Churchill Brothers FC for whom he featured thrice during 2019-20 I-League season before returning to RoundGlass Punjab.

The 19-year-old Sajal Bag was part of Mohun Bagan's youth set-up where he was adjudged Best Youth Player of the Season in 2019-20. He has played 46 matches across various domestic competitions, scoring six goals.

"I am delighted to join Chennaiyin FC. I am very excited with the opportunity and motivated to train harder. I want to contribute in achieving the ISL trophy," Bag said.

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