Odisha FC has bolstered their midfield with their latest signing, Puitea. Lalthathanga Khawlhring, better known as Puitea, joins the Juggernauts after his short stint with Mohun Bagan Super Giant. Odisha FC signs Lalthathanga Khawlhring on a three-year deal for a club-record transfer fee.
Initial Career: Puitea:
Puitea started his career with Bethlehem Vengthlang in the Mizoram Premier League before joining DSK Shivajians’s academy in Pune. The Mizoram-born midfielder was awarded the ‘Best Midfielder’ award in the Mizoram Premier League for the 2015-16 season. He played four I-League matches for the DSK Shivajians in the 2016–17 season.
Later in 2017, Hero Indian Super League club North East United FC signed the talented midfielder but immediately loaned him to I-League club Aizawl FC for the 2017-18 season. In that season, Puitea played 17 I-League matches for Aizawl FC. The very next season, he came back to his parent club after completing a successful loan stint.
In the 2018-19 season, Lalthathanga Khawlhring made his Hero ISL debut for the Highlanders. He has also represented other ISL clubs like the Kerala Blasters and Mohun Bagan Super Giant before joining the Kalinga Warriors.
Performance in Hero ISL: Puitea:
Puitea started his ISL journey with North East United FC. He played two seasons for the Highlanders (2018–19 and 2019–20), in which he played a total of 30 matches.
Later in September 2020, Puitea joined another ISL club, Kerala Blasters FC. Playing for Kerala Blasters FC, he came under the spotlight with his excellent performance in the midfield. Playing for the Manjappada Brigade, he has appeared in 10 ISL games in the 2020–21 season and in 20 matches in the 2021–22 season.
But Puitea left the club in the 2023 winter transfer window and joined Mohun Bagan SG. During his time with the Kolkata-based club, he did not get much game time. So he decided to join Odisha FC in search of more game time.
Style of play:
The 25-year-old midfielder is an ideal modern-day box-to-box midfielder. Puitea basically plays as a defensive midfielder. His ball-playing skills, ground-covering rate, and creativity make him better than others. Moreover, his work rate is second to none.
His arrival will definitely strengthen Odisha FC’s midfield ahead of the upcoming 2023–24 ISL season.
Follow our Twitter Handle for more updates.
