PANJIM: FC Goa has bolstered their talent pool by signing 18-year-old Alan Saji from the Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) academy. Alan has agreed to a multi-year contract and will represent the Gaurs in the upcoming 2024-25 season and beyond.
Hailing from Kerala, Alan joined RFYC at the age of 12 after being scouted by the academy. His development as a footballer has seen him participate in numerous national and international tournaments. Earlier this year, he was part of the RFYC squad that competed in the Sanix Cup in Japan, a prestigious youth football tournament in Asia that draws teams from across the continent.
Expressing his excitement about joining the Club, Alan said, "Joining FC Goa is a dream come true for me. I've always aspired to train and play alongside experienced players and I am thrilled at the opportunity to learn and grow with them.
“I’m aware that FC Goa have closely followed my career so far, and their belief in my potential made this an easy decision. The Club's style of play is similar to what I've been accustomed to at RFYC, making this the perfect environment for me to showcase my abilities and continue developing as a footballer,” he added.
Alan's impressive performances earned him a spot in the Sanix Cup Team of the Tournament, and on his return to India, he followed that up with goals in back-to-back matches against Kerala Blasters’ and Dempo SC’s U-21 sides in the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL).
Manolo Marquez, FC Goa's head coach expressed his enthusiasm about the new signing. "Alan Saji is an exceptional talent with a great future. He is fast, brave, very clever in the box, and has a very good aerial game.
“He has developed remarkably, and we will give him a great platform to hone his skills further. It is, of course, a step-by-step process, but he has the qualities to be an important player for not just the Club, but also for India in the years to come,” he noted.