ISL Transfer Watch: Mohammad Sajid Dhot to stay with Chennaiyin FC for two more seasons

Bengaluru, June 18: Two-time Indian Super League (ISL) champions Chennaiyin FC have handed defender Mohammad Sajid Dhot a new two-year contract that keeps him at the club until 2024.

The 24-year-old was impressive in the six matches he had played for the club in the second half of the ISL last season.

Featuring in the starting eleven in all the six games, he made 17 tackles and four interceptions. Dhot also showcased attack capabilities scoring once. He spent 496 minutes on the pitch before a muscle injury ruled him out of the club's last six league games.

And now after getting an extension, the Punjab-born footballer will be eager to continue his fine form in the upcoming season.

"I am very happy and proud to be part of this club for two more years. Last year I got my chances and gave my best. I only want to do better. I will give it my all for the club and the people," said the India International.

Dhot was part of the Indian team that finished runners-up at the 2018 South Asian Football Federation Championship. Besides playing one game for the senior national side, he had also represented the country in all age groups up to U-19.

Before joining the Marina Machans, Dhot, a product of AIFF Elite Academy, was part of Odisha FC's set up, formerly known as Delhi Dynamos for four ISL seasons. He appeared in 23 matches after making his debut in 2018.

He has played 37 matches so far in his professional career which also includes four I-League games for DSK Shivajians FC.

"Sajid came in midway through last season and proved to be a solid addition to the backline when called upon. We are happy to have someone of his potential in our ranks," said Chennaiyin FC co-owner Vita Dani.

ISL: Chennayin FC name Thomas Brdaric as new coach

In the 2020-21 ISL season, the Yellow Brigade finished a poor eighth and failed to make it to the play-offs.

They had started the ISL 2021-22 season under Bozidar Bandovic before the well-travelled Montenegrin coach and the club decided to part ways midway through the campaign following a string of poor results.

Ex-India international Sabir Pasha then took over the Yellow Brigade on an interim basis.

Last week they roped in Thomas Brdaric as the new head coach of the club ahead of the upcoming season.

In his most recent spell, the German coach led KF Vllaznia to the Albanian Cup for two successive seasons (2020-21 and 2021-22).

The team also finished runners up in the Albanian Championship in the 2020-21 season.

Brdaric was thereafter awarded Coach of the Year 2021. He also led the Albanian club in the qualifiers of the recently established UEFA Europa Conference League.

"I would like to thank Mrs. Vita Dani and the Chennaiyin family for putting their faith in me. Honestly, I am looking forward to this incredible journey. This will be a great experience and a challenge where we will push further as one team. This is not my first time outside of Germany, therefore I am aware of most circumstances and I am ready to move forward with Chennaiyin FC. I can't wait to get started," Brdaric's had told CFC Media after putting pen to the papers.