Lenny Rodrigues returns to FC Goa, Glan Martins leaves on loan

Goa, January 24, 2023: FC Goa have completed the signing of Lenny Rodrigues from fellow Hero Indian Super League (ISL) side ATK Mohun Bagan, the Club can confirm. The midfielder has put pen-to-paper on a short-term contract with the Gaurs, which will see him remain a part of the Club till the end of this season.
FC Goa would also like to announce that Glan Martins will leave the Club, having agreed terms with ATK Mohun Bagan on a long-term loan move.
“I’m delighted to return to FC Goa, having played here for two and a half seasons previously. I had always felt that I had some unfinished business with the team, and hence I’m honoured to have received an opportunity once again. The prospect of performing in front of my home fans again and making them proud excites me as well,” Rodrigues said, after signing on the dotted line for the Gaurs.
“With the team currently in the top-five in the league, my primary objective would be to contribute successfully to our quest of making it to the playoffs. The ultimate intention is to win the ISL Trophy with FC Goa, and we’re going to work together as a team to get there,” he further added.
Ravi Puskur, FC Goa’s Director of Football also expressed his thoughts on Lenny Rodrigues’ signing.
“Lenny is an experienced player who was a constant in our team for the best part of 2.5 years. His arrival gives us a player who has plenty of know-how in high pressure situations and excellent tactical nous. He’s familiar with the team and everyone else around him, so he will take zero time to settle in and will be ready to play and available to the coach for selection from the get go,” he said.
Homecoming for Rodrigues
One of the most experienced footballers in India right now, Lenny Rodrigues kick-started his footballing career with the Nagoa-based Fransa-Pax FC’s youth team. Salgaocar FC handed him his first professional contract and later he joined Churchill Brothers where he transitioned from being a forward to a midfielder.
At Churchill, he won the I-League twice, the Federation Cup and the Durand Cup. He spent six seasons with the Red Machines, before becoming the first-ever pick in the Inaugural ISL Domestic Draft by FC Pune City in 2014.
Loan stints at Dempo SC, Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC followed for the 35-year-old, before the latter snapped him up on a permanent deal in 2017-18, winning the Hero Super Cup and the Federation Cup once again with them at the end of their campaign.
In 2018, he joined FC Goa for the first time. In the next two years, the midfielder started in each of the 45 games that the Gaurs played, winning the Super Cup once again in 2018-19 and the Hero ISL League Winners’ Shield the following season. During this period, he played alongside Carlos Pena, the Club’s current head coach.
January 2021 saw Rodrigues move to ATK Mohun Bagan, and now, exactly two years later, he returns to FC Goa for a second stint. Overall, he has made nearly 300 appearances for club and the Indian national team.
Also Read: Kerala to host Hero Super Cup in April
Also Read: Kenkre FC strengthens defense with the signing of Uzbekistan center-back Samandar Ochilov
Feature / Interviews / Santosh Trophy
Arif Shaikh reflects on Maharashtra’s performance in Hero Santosh Trophy campaign
Arif Shaikh, the striker for Maharashtra in the Hero Santosh Trophy, in an exclusive chat with us speaks about his team’s performance in the campaign, his experience playing under coach…
Indian Super League / Transfer News
Defender Hardik Bhatt joins Mumbai City FC
Rajasthan United right-back Hardik Bhatt has reportedly joined Mumbai City FC on a loan deal for the rest of the season. According to reports, the deal involves a loan fee…
Mumbai Kenkre stun league leaders with late-winner
Mumbai Kenkre FC’s wait for their first points of the new year came to an end with a stunning 2-1 victory over Sreenidi Deccan FC at the Cooperage Stadium in…
MFA Elite Division Roundup: KSA maintains lead; India Rush earns first win of the season
The MFA Elite Division saw a flurry of action over the past couple of days, with several teams securing vital wins to keep their hopes of a top-three finish alive….
Lenny Rodrigues returns to FC Goa, Glan Martins leaves on loan
Goa, January 24, 2023: FC Goa have completed the signing of Lenny Rodrigues from fellow Hero Indian Super League (ISL) side ATK Mohun Bagan, the Club can confirm. The midfielder…
ATK Mohun Bagan and FC Goa agree swap deal for midfielders
ATK Mohun Bagan and FC Goa have reportedly agreed to a swap deal for midfielders Glan Martins and Lenny Rodriguez The exact opposite deal happened in January 2021 when Lenny…
Hero Super Cup / Indian Super League
Kerala to host Hero Super Cup in April
NEW DELHI: The 2022-23 Hero Super Cup, featuring 16 teams in the Group Stage, will take place from April 8-25, 2023, in Kerala. Two of the three cities among Kochi, Kozhikode…
MFA Roundup: Late Goals, Comebacks and Table Shuffling
A late goal helps Atlanta FC keep the winning streak intact, Silver Innings pick 2nd win of campaign, and PIFA secure a stunning come from behind win. Ambernath United Atlanta…
India U-17 / Indian Women’s Football Team
A tale of two footballers and their fight against gender bias
CHENNAI: Sonali Soren is certainly not a showstopper, who will force people to take a break and wait eagerly to follow her next movement. She is a simple young girl with…
Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
Emotional to be back in the national camp after so long, says Bala Devi
The city of Chennai is currently a true confluence of India’s best talents in women’s football – the National camps for both the Seniors and the Under-20 probables are running…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…
Sunday Boys to hold trials for MFA 1st Division
MFA 1st division side Sunday Boys FC will be conducting trials in the first week of November for the upcoming football season Sunday Boys Football Club was established in the…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Millat FC to hold trials for MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season Millat had a decent run in…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
MFA Elite Division club KSA to conduct trials for the upcoming season
Karnataka Sporting Association (KSA) – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season KSA had an amazing…
3rd Division / MDFA / Trials
Young Guns Football Acadmey to conduct trials for their upcoming MFA 3rd Division Campaign
MFA 3rd Division club Young Guns Football Academy will be conducting open trials on October 9th for their upcoming season in Mumbai Football Young Guns Football Academy was founded in…
OSCAR SSE to conduct trials for Youth I League and YPL team in the U13 category in Mumbai
Mumbai-based OSCAR SSE will conduct trials for their Youth I League and YPL team on 16th and 17th July 2022 at Wings Sports Centre ground. Oscar SSE is a 2-star…