Indian Football Transfer News: East Bengal sign Provat Lakra on a two-year deal

In the latest Indian Football transfer news we have Bengal's very own Provat Lakra signing for Emami East Bengal FC on a two-year deal from Jamshedpur FC, the club announced on Tuesday. The full-back joined the club on a free transfer deal after his contract with Jamshedpur FC ended in May 2024.

A son of the soil, Provat was part of United Sports Club’s youth system before making his first senior appearance for Southern Samity in 2017. The Kalyani-born defender played the 2017-18 season for Gokulam Kerala FC before making his foray into the Indian Super League and representing NorthEast United FC for the next five seasons. The 26-year-old joined Jamshedpur FC in July last year.

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Lakra's stunning last season

A full-back who can play both left and right, Lakra accumulated 1,283 minutes of playing time across 15 ISL and 3 Kalinga Super Cup matches last season. He played a vital role in helping JFC reach the Kalinga Super Cup semi-finals.

In ISL 2023-24 Lakra registered 30 interceptions, 60 successful duels, 19 successful aerial duels, 3 blocks, 84 recoveries and 26 clearances. He has featured in a total of 51 matches in his ISL career. 

“East Bengal is an institution and the opportunity to represent this iconic club fills me with immense pride. I had good conversations with Coach Cuadrat and I can’t wait to play under him. He gives a lot of confidence to his players and brings the best out of them. I am also very excited to play the derby and I will give my best every time I wear the red-and-gold shirt," Lakra said via a press release by East Bengal FC.

“Lakra is an experienced player from Bengal who has made rapid progress during his career. I was thoroughly impressed by his fighting spirit and defensive intensity every time we played against him. From our first conversation, he expressed to me his desire of making an impact in a big club and dedicating the best years of his professional career to a project that would encourage him. I am sure he’ll help us a lot during this challenging season,” Carles Cuadrat said on signing the player.