Mumbai City FC are pleased to announce that the club has completed a deal for defender Sanjay Balmuchu. The 27-year old joins the Islanders on loan until the end of the 2018-19 season from Jamshedpur FC.
A product of the Tata Football Academy, Balmuchu made his foray into his professional career with Churchill Brothers in 2012. An integral member of the Goan side, he enjoyed considerable success in his two seasons at the club, winning the 2012-13 I League and the 2013-14 Federation Cup.
Balmuchu went on to play for Mohammedan Sporting Club in the I League 2nd Division in 2015 before making a move across the city of Kolkata to join Mohun Bagan for two seasons between 2015-2017, where he plied his trade with his now fellow Islanders Sehnaj Singh, Souvik Chakrabarti, Raynier Fernandes and Subhasish Bose.
A move to FC Goa ensued for Balmuchu in the 2016 season of the Hero ISL, sandwiched between his two I League stints at Mohun Bagan, turning out a total of 11 times for the Gaurs. He was picked up by Chennaiyin FC in the 2017 Hero ISL Draft and went on to win the title in the 2017-18 season.
The Jharkhand-born Balmuchu joined his local side Jamshedpur FC ahead of the 2018-19 season on a three-year deal, making his debut – his only appearance this season – for the club in a 2-2 draw against Kerala Blasters.
The Islanders are on an eight-game unbeaten run and have kept six clean sheets this season – the most by any side – and Balmuchu’s arrival guarantees added depth in Jorge Costa’s defensive unit.
Sanjay Balmuchu will wear the #2 shirt for the Islanders.
The 2018-19 Hero ISL season resumes on January 27 at the Mumbai Football Arena as the Islanders host Bengaluru FC in a top of the table clash on Sunday at 7.30pm.
