\u201cIt\u2019s a dream for any young Indian player to play for a big club like East Bengal. Kolkata is the Mecca of Indian football and I can\u2019t wait to experience the amazing support from the East Bengal fans. I am grateful to Coach Carles and the East Bengal management for showing faith in me,\u201d said Zothanpuia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Born in Mizoram, Zothanpuia was part of FC Pune City\u2019s youth team and Hyderabad FC\u2019s reserve team before being promoted to Hyderabad FC\u2019s first team in the 2020-21 season. The 22-year-old rose to prominence in the previous season, starting regularly for Hyderabad FC and emerging as one of their key players. Zothanpuia was part of HFC\u2019s 2021-22 ISL winning Squad.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
East Bengal FC Head Coach Carles Cuadrat highlighted Zothanpuia\u2019s versatility, saying, \u201cMark is a young player with excellent qualities. His versatility will allow us to consider him for different roles to help the team. He has gained a decent amount of ISL experience and is joining Emami East Bengal at the right phase of his career, to reach the next level as a player. We\u2019ll give him the right environment to ensure his growth and success.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Zothanpuia played a total of 1,971 minutes across 24 matches (18 in the ISL, 3 in the Kalinga Super Cup and 3 in the Durand Cup) last season. Primarily a midfielder, Zothanpuia seamlessly adapted to the left-back position where his consistency earned him a spot in the India U-23 squad for the friendlies against Malaysia in March this year.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Having played as left back, left wing-back, defensive midfielder and centre back in the 2023-24 ISL, Zothanpuia registered 1 assist, 81% passing accuracy, 23 key passes, 73 successful duels, 95 recoveries, 20 interceptions and 26 clearances, besides creating 24 chances in 18 appearances.<\/p>\r\n\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2024\/06\/mark-zothanpuia-joins-east-bengal-fc-on-three-year-deal.jpg", "alt_img": "Mark Zothanpuia joins East Bengal FC on three-year deal", "alt_title": "ISL: Hyderabad FC extend contracts of Manas Dubey & Mark Zothanpuia,Manas Dubey,Mark Zothanpuia", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "Mark Zothanpuia Joins East Bengal FC On Three-year Deal On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "Mark Zothanpuia Joins East Bengal FC On Three-year Deal, East Bengal FC Head Coach: East Bengal FC has signed promising India U-23 player Mark Zothanpuia on a three-year contract.", "seo_keywords": "Mark Zothanpuia, East Bengal FC, East Bengal, Coach Carles, FC Pune City, Hyderabad FC, East Bengal FC Head Coach, Carles Cuadrat, Emami East Bengal, Kalinga Super Cup, Durand Cup", "tag": "", "tagging": "Mark Zothanpuia, East Bengal FC, East Bengal, Coach Carles, FC Pune City, Hyderabad FC, Carles Cuadrat, Emami East Bengal, Kalinga Super Cup, Durand Cup", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "mark-zothanpuia-joins-east-bengal-fc-on-three-year-deal", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "616", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "0", "created": "2024-06-22 15:12:04", "updated": "2024-06-22 15:12:04", "img_from": "Image Source: IANS", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "Mark Zothanpuia, East Bengal FC, East Bengal, Coach Carles, FC Pune City, Hyderabad FC, East Bengal FC Head Coach, Carles Cuadrat, Emami East Bengal, Kalinga Super Cup, Durand Cup", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "1", "google_feed": "1", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "23", "jio_date": "2024-06-22 15:12:04", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "0", "breaking_news": "0", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "sports_name": "football", "cnmid": "918708", "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/sports-news\/mark-zothanpuia-joins-east-bengal-fc-on-three-year-deal-16121" }