Mohun Bagan’s Albanian forward Armando Sadiku is set to join FC Goa after securing his release from the Kolkata-based club. A verbal agreement has been reached between the clubs, and the paperwork is expected to be finalized soon. Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan is actively pursuing Scottish midfielder Greg Stewart as a potential replacement for Sadiku, with the move progressing rapidly. The 34-year-old Stewart could make his return to India after a brief stint with Scottish top-division side Kilmarnock FC.
Stewart previously played in the Indian Super League (ISL) during the 2021 season for Jamshedpur FC, where he made a significant impact, contributing 10 goals and 10 assists, leading the team to the ISL Shield and earning the Golden Ball award (Best Player). He subsequently moved to Mumbai City FC, scoring 17 goals and providing 18 assists in 45 appearances, while winning another ISL Shield title. At Mohun Bagan, Stewart is expected to operate as a central attacking midfielder, playing behind forwards Dimitri Petratos and Jason Cummings.
Mohun Bagan has seen several departures of foreign players from last season, including Brendan Hamill, Hugo Boumous, Hector Yuste, and Joni Kauko. However, the club has brought in English centre-back Tom Aldred and Spanish centre-back Alberto Rodriguez earlier this season. ISL regulations permit clubs to register a maximum of six foreign players, with only four allowed on the field simultaneously. With Sadiku’s departure, Mohun Bagan will have four foreign players remaining.
Sadiku made 35 appearances for Mohun Bagan last season, scoring 11 goals and providing one assist, as the club won its first-ever ISL Shield, defeating Mumbai City in the final. However, his disciplinary record was a concern, with six yellow cards and one red card, leading to his absence from the ISL Championship final.
For FC Goa, this signing marks their eighth acquisition this season and their third foreign player addition, following the arrival of Iker Guarrotxena from Spain and Dejan Drazic from Serbia. The club has also retained the services of Carl McHugh and Odei Onaindia, and they qualified for the playoffs for the first time in three years last season.
