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Pune FC confirms the signing of experienced defender NS Manju until the end of the ongoing 2011-12 season.
The 24-year-old Manju (Nanjangud Shivananju) comes into the Pune FC fold as an on-loan player from United Sikkim FC. The Mysore-born player thus becomes the second on-loan player the club signed this season after ’keeper Abhra Mondal was drafted into the team earlier.
Manju, initially, was on Pune FC radar at the start of the season before both team and player finally agreed. The soft-spoken player boasts of the versatility of playing in any position in the backline. In fact, he began in the right full back position and has constantly played in the other positions as well.
The defender brings along vast experience of playing the elite league in five previous seasons after beginning his elite professional career at Mahindra United in the 2004-2005 season where he spent three seasons, then moved to Mohun Bagan for the next three years subsequently, before joining USFC.
On his signing, Manju says, “I am happy to join Pune FC for here I see a club wanting to be different and make a change in Indian football.”
Manju who completed formalities recently thus becomes a registered Pune FC player as of 20th November, 2011.
Apart from club football Manju has the experience of earning several Indian caps at both junior and senior level respectively. His performance in the 2005-2006 season, includes the honor of landing a grand double (Federation Cup and League – NFL), earned him an Indian berth fpo the tour of Pakistan and subsequently figured in the 2006 Asian Games.
Among the list of achievements, Manju has the 2007 Nehru Cup honours, three trophies with Bagan apart from being part of the probables shortlisted for the National side for the Asian Cup 2011, however the trip to Qatar remained a dream as Manju got injured during the preparatory tour to Barcelona, Spain.
Chirag Tanna, Pune FC Head Operations, added, “Manju’s experience will help strengthen our defence. We are glad to have him in our midst and Pune FC wishes him all the very best.”
Manju, who completed formalities recently, thus becomes a registered Pune FC player as of 20th December, 2011.
