ISL Transfer Watch: Princeton Rebello to stay with FC Goa

Bengaluru, June 13: Princeton Rebello has extended his stay with Indian Super League (ISL) outfit FC Goa by putting pen-to-paper on a new multi-year contract.

After making 17 appearances in the orange of the Gaurs last season in the ISL, Rebello has now committed his future to the Gaurs by signing a deal to stay at the club until the summer of 2024.

Speaking to fcgoa.in after signing on the dotted line, the 23-year-old said, "This is a huge moment of pride for me and my family. I joined FC Goa five years ago with the goal of getting better each day and eventually playing in the first team one day. That has been my reality for two seasons now but I'm aware that I've got lots left to do.

"I'm really looking forward to the coming seasons and working towards making an impact in the side. I hope to stay for a long time to come and achieve lots of success with the club," he added.

FC Goa's Director of Football Ravi Puskur expressed delight at securing Princeton Rebello's future with the club.

Speaking to fcgoa.in in regards to the same, he said, "Princeton has always been earmarked as someone with the potential to make it big not just for club but also country. The last two seasons have seen him gain some valuable minutes on the pitch and the intention is to build on that.

"We've identified a clear career path for him and it's imperative now that he makes the step up and makes himself a player that goes into reckoning for the national team in the seasons to follow. We have high expectations of him and with the coaching staff on board to help his progression, we hope to see him take that leap to the next level."

After a starting sporadically last season, FC Goa will look to the talented youngster to step up a gear and become a mainstay in the side. An inaugural member of the FC Goa Development Team that was launched in 2017, Princeton was one of the key players of the Dev Team that won the Goa Pro League in 2018-19.

The current India Under-23 international was also instrumental in helping the Gaurs finish unbeaten in their inaugural challenge in the Durand Cup 2019.

Later the same year, Rebello made his debut in the ISL. In the 2020-21 season, he was handed his first start for the club in the league.

Though FC Goa could not make it to the ISL play-offs this time, the Gaurs ended the season on a positive note showing glimpses of what the team can really do on a good day.

In their last ISL encounter, the Amche Gaurs came back after being two goals down in less than 30 minutes, to hold the formidable Kerala Blasters to a thrilling high-scoring 4-4 draw at the Bambolim Athletic Stadium.

With just 19 points from 20 matches, FC Goa wrapped up their ISL 2021-22 campaign in ninth place.

The 2021-22 campaign was just the second time in their history when they failed to make it to the play-offs, which is why they will be hoping for an improved showing in the upcoming season.