ISL 2020-21: JeJe Lalpekhlua Set To Join East Bengal After agreeing to terms

Indian striker and two-time ISL winner Jeje Lalpekhlua is set to return to the India Super League with Kolkota side East Bengal.

Jeje was out of action for the whole of last season after sustaining a career-threatening knee injury.

Before then, the 29-year-old featured for Mohun Batan, where he won the 2014/2015 I-League, and with Chennaiyin FC, he tasted India Super League success in the 2015 season and 2017/2018 season with the 2016 Federation Cup in between.

Jeje, because of his injury, missed out on the Kings and International Cups in 2019, with his last international appearance being at the AFC Asian Cup in January 2019.

He was invited to the India national football team’s 2023 AFC Asian Cup and 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, initially scheduled for March but now postponed till 2021.

Jeje has featured for other clubs like Pune FC, Pailan Arrows, and Dempo while he also has 56 appearances for the India national football team scoring 23 times.

Last week, East Bengal were confirmed as the India Super League’s 11th team for the 2020-21 season after their application to join was formally accepted after securing sponsorship of Shree Cement Limited.

The new season is expected to kick off in late November in Goa, which is the single venue, and all matches are set to be played behind closed doors.

East Bengal finished second behind Mohun-Bagan last season in the I-League before the I-League Champions merged with ATK-Mohun Bagan to compete in the India Super League henceforth.

East Bengal are also said to be interested in bringing in Liverpool Legend Robbie Fowler as manager of the side for the next season.

Fowler last managed in Australia’s A-league side Brisbane Roar leading them to a fourth-placed finish.

Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu