Kerala Blasters FC are going to sign a player on loan from their rival Bengaluru FC. Kerala Blasters have agreed to a loan deal for young Bengaluru FC’s goalkeeper Lara Sharma. The second-choice goalie for Bengaluru may be the first-choice custodian for the Kerala Blasters in the upcoming season.
Player Profile: Lara Sharma:
The 24-year-old young goalkeeper from West Bengal started his career at the Tata Football Academy. He spent two years there. Later in 2017-18, Lara Sharma signed for the Indian Arrows.
Playing for AIFF’s development side, the Indian Arrows, Lara Sharma gained experience under the bars. But in 2018, Lara moved to the ATK Reserves. Lara spent two seasons with the ATK Reserves.
Following Lara’s performance, Bengaluru’s recruiters selected Lara Sharma for their Hero ISL squad. In 2020, he was signed by Bengaluru FC. Since 2020, Lara has been with Bengaluru FC for the last three seasons. Though Lara is going to play for the Kerala Blasters , he has an existing contract with his parent club Bengaluru FC, until 2026.
Lara Sharma: Performance Under the Bars:
Starting at the Tata Football Academy, Lara learned how to prepare himself to perform on big occasions. During his stint with the Indian Arrows, he did not get the opportunity to play under the bars.
In the 2018-19 season with ATK Reserves, he played two games in the I-League Second Division and kept a clean sheet. Next year, he played eight matches for them and kept two clean sheets.
Later in the 2020–21 season, Lara Sharma was signed by Bengaluru FC. Basically, he was there as a backup to their first-choice goalie, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. In his maiden season with the Blues, he was under the bars in five Durand Cup games.
Later, in the 2021–22 season, Lara Sharma played in five ISL matches for Bengaluru and kept two clean sheets. In the next season, he also played a Durand Cup game for them. But in 2022–23, he played in the I-League Second Division with the Bengaluru Reserves.
Though Lara Sharma has the potential, he did not get regular game time in Bengaluru. So, in search of game time, the Bengaluru goalkeeper is going to join the Kerala Blasters.
Why is Kerala Blasters looking for Bengaluru FC’s Lara Sharma?
Kerala Blasters have let go of some of their important players, like Sahal Abdul Samad and Nishu Kumar. Following the departure of their first-choice goalie, Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, Kerala Blasters is in a hurry to fill the void left by Gill.
For their goalkeeper slot, they have veteran keeper Karanjit Singh (37 years old) and young Sachin Suresh (22 years old). But none of them seems to be their first-choice goalie for the upcoming season. So, Kerala Blasters is looking for an ideal replacement for Prabhsukhan, where Lara fits the most.
Kerala Blasters shows faith in the ability of young juvenile shot-stopper Lara. Lara Sharma is all set to sign for Kerala Blasters on a season-long loan deal from Bengaluru. And in all probabilities, Bengaluru FC’s Lara Sharma may be seen as the first-choice goalie for Kerala Blasters.
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