Gourmangi well into the Bagan net!

Bagan club officials confirmed today that after picking the most sought after striker in the I league, Odafa Okili, they have had their eyes set on the Indian National team defender Gourmangi Singh for quite some time.

Keeping in mind the difficulties the team had to face owing to the lack of an experienced back line for the better half of the last season, club officials have gone all out to rope in the Manipuri centre back, who had won the AIFF player of the year, 2010. He is one of the few Indian players who has been consistent throughout his entire career. Gourmangi has attracted clubs like Melbourne Hearts with his defensive skills.

The prospect of Gourmangi coming into backline which has Anwar Ali and Surkumar Singh does not seem surprising at all and the trio shall be able to settle down quite easily having played for India together on a number of occasions.

Gourmangi's agent was seen around the Bagan tent a few days back, giving rise to speculations that the Manipuri had already signed for the Calcutta giants. On an interview today, the club officials cleared the air by saying that no such contracts have yet been signed with Gourmangi.

However they stated that they have been in talks with the centre back for some time now and are trying to sort out a few issues which they hope will be cleared in a few days time and they will be successful in enabling the defender to wear the Bagan jersey for the second time in his life. Last time he had dawned the Green and Maroon jersey he was a youngster passing out of Tata Football Academy. However he had failed to impress the then club officials before moving to Dempo in 2004.