East Bengal FC has announced the signing of talented India U-23 player Mark Zothanpuia on a three-year contract, which will be in effect until the conclusion of the 2026-27 season.
Commenting on his association, an elated Zothanpuia expressed: “It’s a dream for any young Indian player to play for a big club like East Bengal. Kolkata is the Mecca of Indian football and I can’t wait to experience the amazing support from the East Bengal fans. I am grateful to Coach Carles and the East Bengal management for showing faith in me.”
Zothanpuia, born in Mizoram, began his professional football career with FC Pune City’s youth team and later joined Hyderabad FC’s reserve team. His impressive performance led to his promotion to Hyderabad FC’s first team during the 2020-21 season. The 22-year-old quickly gained recognition as a key player for the team, consistently starting matches and contributing to their success. Zothanpuia played a crucial role in Hyderabad FC’s victory in the 2021-22 ISL season.
East Bengal FC Head Coach Carles Cuadrat emphasized Zothanpuia’s adaptability, showcasing his diverse skill set and said: “Mark is a young player with excellent qualities. His versatility will allow us to consider him for different roles to help the team. He has gained a decent amount of ISL experience and is joining Emami East Bengal at the right phase of his career, to reach the next level as a player. We’ll give him the right environment to ensure his growth and success.”
Zothanpuia demonstrated remarkable versatility by playing 1,971 minutes in 24 matches during the previous season, including 18 in the ISL, 3 in the Kalinga Super Cup, and 3 in the Durand Cup. Despite being primarily a midfielder, Zothanpuia adeptly transitioned to the left-back position, showcasing consistent performance that led to his selection for the India U-23 squad in the friendly matches against Malaysia in March of this year.
Zothanpuia, who showcased versatility by playing in multiple positions during the 2023-24 ISL season, demonstrated impressive statistics including 1 assist, an 81% passing accuracy, 23 key passes, 73 successful duels, 95 recoveries, 20 interceptions, and 26 clearances. Additionally, he created 24 scoring opportunities in 18 appearances.
