India-International commits long-term future with HFC

Hyderabad: Following up on a career-best season, Chinglensana Konsham signed a new long-term deal with Hyderabad FC, the Indian Super League club announced on Thursday. The 24-year-old defender who joined HFC in September 2020, has penned a new four-year contract which keeps him at Hyderabad till the end of the 2024-25 season.

“Knowing the positive atmosphere at the club, and admiration from the fans that enjoy and love football, it feels great to extend my contract at Hyderabad FC,” said an excited Chinglensana, who made 18 consecutive league starts last season.

“I believe that my peak years are ahead of me. So, consistency, sheer determination, and my desire to learn and keep improving to do the best I can for the club and its fans will be there for everyone to see,” he added.

💪 Our 𝗚𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻 and No. 4⃣ @ChinglensanaC is 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐘❗

The 🇮🇳 international signs a new 4⃣-year deal with Hyderabad FC.#Sana2025 #HyderabadFC 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/iGiT3SLYth

— Hyderabad FC (@HydFCOfficial) August 5, 2021

For HFC Head Coach Manolo Marquez, Sana, as he is commonly known, fits in well with the team’s style, and he believes that the experience the defender gained from the 2020-21 season will help him improve further this season. “It was easy for me to work with Sana last season. I like centre-backs who are good with the ball, and that helps us build our style of play from his position. This is one of his best qualities, but Sana knows that he has to improve in some other aspects,” said Manolo.

One of the consistent players for Hyderabad in the 2020-21 ISL campaign, Sana was the leader in clearances and had the best passing accuracy throughout the season. His impressive showing saw him break into the Indian National Team under Coach Igor Stimac, where he made his debut in the friendlies in March, while also featuring in the World Cup qualifiers in June.

“To play for your country is one of the best achievements that you can get as an athlete. After his fantastic season with HFC, Sana totally deserved to play with the Blue Tigers. It was not just important for him, but for the club too. It was an honour for everyone associated with HFC when Igor Stimac called six players from our club. It means that we are going in the right way with our club’s philosophy. But at the same time, we must not rest on this and continue with our hard work as a club, while being confident in our Indian players,” added Manolo.