ISL 2023-24 Transfer: Odisha FC sign talented India Midfielder Hitesh Sharma in long term deal

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Odisha FC have roped in talented Indian midfielder Hitesh Sharma in the January transfer window, the club announced on Wednesday (January 31).

Hitesh Sharma has joined the Kalinga Warriors from Hyderabad FC and will be donning their jersey from now on. He has penned a two and a half years deal with the club which means Sharma is tied till the end of the 2025-26 season.

Sharma, who is a Tata Football Academy graduate, started his career with Mumbai FC in the I-League before taking the step in the ISL with ATK. He played for two seasons with ATK and after 34 appearances with the now-defunct Kolkata club, switched the trades to Hyderabad FC in 2019.

The coveted midfielder has also played 3 times for India and has made 59 appearances for the Nizams.

The Jalandhar-born midfielder is admired by Odisha boss Sergio Lobera, who sees him alongside Ahmed Jahouh in the centre of the pitch for the Juggernauts.

"I am very happy to have joined the Kalinga Warriors. They have been improving year on year and that is something that attracted me to the club. There is a sense of unity and togetherness in the squad. I can't wait to get started," the 26-year-old player said after joining Odisha FC.

Odisha boss Sergio Lobera commented, "Hitesh is a technically very good player, he is intelligent and knows how to interpret the game very well. He is a player who can help us in the present and the future of this project."

The Juggernauts finished runners-up in the Kalinga Super Cup after losing in the Final against East Bengal. They kickstart the second half of the ISL season on Friday (February 2) as they take on Kerala Blasters.