Edu Garcia move to China League One side on transfer, Rahul Bheke get his contract extended by three years

Bengaluru FC Media

Winger Garcia is all set to be transferred from Bengaluru FC to Zhejiang Lǜchéng and defender Rahul Bheke handed over three-year contract just in a day’s gap. 

Bengaluru FC have reached an agreement with Chinese League One side Zhejiang Lǜchéng for the transfer of Spanish winger Edu Garcia for an undisclosed fee, the club announced on Friday. The deal makes Bengaluru FC the first Indian club to earn a fee from a foreign club for the transfer of a player. 

Garcia was signed on a season-long deal in September and the former Zaragoza man was an instant hit, scoring the Blues’ first ever goal in the Indian Super League in the 2-0 win over Mumbai City FC at the Kanteerava. The second of his two goals for the club came earlier this month against Goa, once again at the Fortress. Always dangerous with his set-piece deliveries, Garcia also racked up five assists for Albert Roca’s side. 

Meanwhile, the club announced on Thursday that Rahul Bheke’s extended contract will continue till May 2021. The 27-year-old has been a vital cog in Bengaluru’s season so far, and the extension reaffirms the club’s commitment towards holding on to its best talent. 

A consistent figure in the Bengaluru back-line, The Mumbai-born defender has played twenty times for the Blues this season, making 19 starts and scoring two goals, both in the AFC Cup. 

At Lǜchéng, Garcia will team up with Spanish coach Sergi Barjuan for the club which plays at the Yellow Dragon Sports Center in Hangzhou. The League One season kicks off on March 10. 

Coach Albert Roca thanked the winger for his efforts that have played its part in Bengaluru’s surge to the semifinal of the ISL. “Edu has been a thorough professional during his time at the club and he was presented an opportunity that seemed right to say yes to. His contribution to our season so far has been very valuable and I wish him the best.”

Bengaluru FC retain core team

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru FC made a statement of intent for the coming season by handing contract extensions to Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Joshua Walker among a host of other players who formed the core of the Blues’ successful second season.
The announcement was made a day after Bengaluru secured the signatures of North Korean striker Kim Seng-Yong and Seiminlen Doungel.

Named the League’s midfielder of the 2014-15 season in which Bengaluru FC finished second, Lyngdoh penned a two-year extension that keeps him with the Blues till the end of the 2016-17 season. Fellow midfielder Joshua Walker too was handed a one-year deal with the club having the option to add another year to it.

“I am delighted to extend my stay at Bengaluru FC. I have much left to give the club and its fans and I am grateful that this new deal gives me the chance and the time to be able to do that. I have great teammates, inspiring coaches and amazing fans and cannot wait to make next season bigger,” said Lyngdoh.

Youngster Shankar Sampingiraj who was one of the League’s revelations this season with consistently mature performances was awarded a new three-year deal. Rino Anto, Lalchhuanmawia, Udanta Singh, Lalthuammawia Ralte, CK Vineeth and Beikhokhei Beingaichho have all been handed two-year deals while Siam Hanghal is on a one year agreement with the club having the choice to extend it at the end of the season.

“It was important to retain the core of our team. The boys, owing to the performances they turned up with this season, were the subject of interest from many teams. But we are glad we have been able to retain them and that is a testament of the vision and work ethic of Bengaluru FC. We wish the boys all the best for the coming season and have absolute confidence that they will only get better,” said Mustafa Ghouse, COO, Bengaluru FC. 

HAL transfers – season 2012

1. Pramod P – Mohammedan Sporting
   good temperament player, seen few best saves in I-league yet found on the losing side. Also has the worst goal conceding record (50+), definitely he would like to improve on that
   
   
2. Joseph Femi Adeola – Mohammedan Sporting
   called the ROCK, totally committed, very good human being much improved as a player since he came to India in 2007. However, he was release in the season owing to Visa issue.
   
3. Bijoy Das – United Sikkim Football Club *
   
   
4. Gautam Debnath – Mohammedan Sporting
   utility player, knows his limitation. Lacks creativity, can play in central defense, side back, defensive midfield. Not much effective on overlap
   
   
5. Deepak Prakash – Pailan Arrows
   Hardly used by HAL management, got a new lease of life in Pailan, can he live up to his potential?
    
   
6. Malemngamba Meetei – Salgaonkar
   
7. Ajitkumar Singh – Mohammedan Sporting
   out and out midfielder also used as a striker (how ridiculous) in HAL
   
   
8. Abdulla Hamza – Salgaonkar rejected by Salgaonkar, back to HAL
   
   
9. Ahatesam Baux - Mohammedan Sporting
   back in Md Sport, hardly used by HAL coach last season
   
10. Koushik Bose - Mohammedan Sporting plagued by injury right at the beginning of the season, never seen him playing and was never used in I-league
    
11. Muttath Sudheesh - Vasco
    Back to his old team, again sparingly used in HAL

* Not confirmed