Earlier this month, NorthEast United FC announced that it had signed defender Hira Mondal on a free transfer. Mondal previously played for Bengaluru FC but parted ways with the club in November by mutual consent.

As NorthEast United FC look to close out their season on a high note, Mondal will be competing with Tondonba Singh and Gurjinder Kumar for the left-back position.

He was named to the I-League Team of the Season for his outstanding performances for the West Bengal Santosh Trophy team and Mohammedan SC during the 2020-21 season.

As a result of impressing with Mohammedan SC, the defender joined East Bengal FC, and played an integral role for the Red & Golds despite finishing at the bottom of the ISL last year. After an impressive season for East Bengal FC, the full-back was in high demand and signed for Bengaluru FC ahead of the ISL 2022-23 season. He made 16 appearances for the team and contributed to both ends of the pitch.

Bengaluru FC’s Mondal played four Durand Cup games before the start of the ISL season, winning the illustrious trophy, but he did not appear in any of the team’s games this season.

With 33 goals conceded this season, Guwahati’s ISL side is at the bottom of the standings under new coach Vincenzo Annese. With just eight games remaining, NorthEast United FC will be pushing hard to record as many points as possible and give themselves the push they sorely need to climb up the table and out of last place.