Chennai

However, with the inclusion of Dhanpal Ganesh last year, Chennai had boasted of a local player. However, his sojourn had to end abruptly after a leg injury that forced him out of the league and the national team. 

Chennaiyin signed Mohanraj from former champions Atletico de Kolkata this year and along with Dhanpal, the duo was optimistic and honoured to carry the city’s hopes on their shoulders.

Mohanraj said he was elated to finally play for a Chennai club. “I have been playing professional football for almost a decade now and my dream of playing for a club in Chennai has come true. I would like to thank Marco Materazzi for believing in me,” he said. 

Mohanraj said it was an emotional moment to walk out at the Nehru Stadium representing Chennai. “As a sports hostel trainees, we (Dhanpal and Mohanraj) stayed inside the stadium. We didn’t get an opportunity to play big games here for the last ten years. It was an emotional moment to go out there and play with the Chennaiyin jersey,” the left-back added. 

NALLAPPAN MOHANRAJ

• Born in Nammakal, his early football education was at SDAT Madurai Sports Hostel and SAI Chennai Hostel.
• India captain at U-19 level.
• First professional contract at HAL Bangalore before moving to Mohun Bagan.
• Mohanraj also played for Pune FC and had been part of the India senior national team setup under Bob Houghton since 2008.
• Made his senior international debut in March 2011 during the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers.
• The 27-year-old made 11 appearances for Atletico de Kolkata in two ISL campaigns.
• Scored his first goal in the tournament last season against Kerala Blasters.

DHANPAL GANESH

• Dhanpal, a Vysarpadi resident, was Mohanraj’s junior at SAI Chennai.
• He was signed by Pune FC for their youth academy.
• The midfielder also had a stint at AIFF’s developmental side Arrows and then went on to play for the Pune FC senior side.
• The 25-year-old made his senior India debut in June 2015.
• He suffered an ACL injury during a match against Iran in September 2015 that put his career on hold.

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