J Prasad, Rajinder Kumar signs for Bharat FC

Bharat FC continued their transfer activity, signing midfielder J Prasad and forward Rajinder Kumar on Tuesday. 26-year-old Prasad arrived from I-League second division side Bhawanipore FC while Rajinder Kumar has been without a club since the end of the 2013-14 season of the I-League. Prasad and Kumar have already joined Bharat FC’s pre-season training camp. Bharat FC will compete in its inaugural I-League season which kicks off on January 17.

Prasad, born in Bangalore to former Karnataka state footballer P Jayashelan, began playing football at the age of 10. The nephew of former India footballer P Manoharan, Prasad was part of the Sports Authority of India centre in Bangalore, playing for their under-19 team. He moved to Tollygunge Agragami in 2007-2008, making eight appearances for the Kolkata side. The following season, he moved to Pune FC spending four seasons with them. The midfielder made the switch back to Kolkata at the end of the 2011-2012 season, signing with Mohammedan Sporting. He started every game of the second division in the 2012-2013 season helping Mohammedan Sporting win the championship to earn promotion to the I-League. In January 2014, he moved to Bhawanipore FC, playing in the second division of the I-League for his new side.

Rajinder Kumar, a product of the renowned Chandigarh Football Academy, has played for the India under-19 side. The 21-year-old was also part of the Pailan Arrows team in the 2011-2012 season, logging 20 appearances and scoring three goals. The following season he transferred to Kolkata’s United SC, making four appearances in the Federation Cup, scoring two goals. Son of a stone mason from Chandigarh, Kumar signed up with the Indian Super League but was not picked up in the domestic player draft.

Stanly Rozario, assistant coach at Bharat FC, said that both players were talented performers who had the potential to properly utilize the platform that Bharat FC would provide for them in the I-League. “Both these players impressed the coaching staff enough in the trials. They are energetic, talented and both possess great technique. Bharat FC believes in investing and nurturing young talented players and the acquisition of Prasad and Rajinder is proof of that,” he said.

Stuart Watkiss, head coach of Bharat FC, said that Prasad’s calmness in midfield coupled with Kumar’s energy upfront was crucial to the team. “Rajinder is young, he is quick and he has got an eye for goal. He manages to get into good positions to receive the ball and that is something I was impressed with. Prasad has been around for some time and he is very assured on the ball. He reads the game well and is judicious with his passing,” he said.