ISL: Mumbai City sign Rahul Bheke from Bengaluru FC on two-year contract

The Hero Indian Super League defending champions Mumbai City FC are delighted to announce that they have signed the services of Rahul Bheke from Bengaluru FC on a two-year contract. Thus, the national defender will stay with the Islanders till the 2022-23 season with an option of extending the contract by one more year.

The 30-year-old defender is currently with the national team, which is training in Kolkata ahead of the International friendlies. Bheke has played for the Blue Tigers on 13 occasions and made his debut against Curaçao during the Kings’ Cup in Thailand.

Bheke added that it is a surreal feeling to join Mumbai City as he hails from the same city and he is looking forward to joining the club.

“It’s a surreal feeling to have joined Mumbai City. This is my hometown club and of course, the defending champions. The feeling of representing your city and your people is what makes this game more special for me, and I did not have to think twice when the opportunity to join Mumbai City came about,” Bheke said in a club statement.

“I am aware of the ambitions we have at our club and the expectations that the coach Sergio Lobera has from me, and I’m fully prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. I’m ready to start this new journey with my new family and make memories with our fans,” he added.

Bheke began his youth career with Mahindra United and went on to play for Air India, Mumbai Tigers and Mumbai FC before moving to East Bengal in 2015. The national defender has consistently played in the Indian Super League (ISL).

Bheke represented Kerala Blasters in 2015 and then switched base to FC Pune City in 2016. In 2017, he was signed by Bengaluru FC in ISL draft and he was also given an extension by the Blues. Bheke also scored the winning goal for Bengaluru FC in the ISL final of the 2018-19 season against FC Goa.