Two-time ISL champions Chennaiyin are one of the most popular clubs in the tournament. Boasting of one of the most passionate fanbases, Chennaiyin have been a powerhouse in the ISL, but their poor show in the 2020-21 season means the Marina Machans will be looking to get themselves back in title contention once again instead of languishing at the bottom of the table.
Born in Himachal Pradesh, Kaith’s early promise led to the AIFF recruit him for their Elite Academy.
Kaith signed for Shillong Lajong in 2014 and made his debut the same year in the I-League. During his three-year stint with Lajong, Kaith spent a season on loan with Pune City in 2016.
Kaith made the move to Pune City permanent in 2017 and after two years with them, he signed a long-term deal with Chennaiyin, where he has gone on become their No 1.
Veteran goalkeeper Majumder started his career in the youth setup of Uttarpara Netaji Brigade in Bengal before making his professional debut for the Food Corporation of India in the Calcutta Football League in 2008.
Majumder got his big break when he signed for Kalighat Milan Sangha in 2010 and spent a year on loan with United Sikkim as well. His time at Milan Sangha saw him catch the attention of Kolkata giants East Bengal, who were impressed by his skills and signed him up for the 2011 season.
After two years with the Red and Gold brigade, Majumder signed for Bhawanipore FC, and strong performances with them earned him a call-up to Mohun Bagan in 2014.
Majumder spent three seasons with Mohun Bagan, where he became their first-choice keeper, and his impressive performances with them saw him get loan offers in the ISL from Mumbai City and ATK. Majumder left Bagan to move to the ISL in 2017, signing for ATK, and even won the title with the club. Majumder spent a season with East Bengal before signing for Chennaiyin in 2021.
A graduate of the Punjab FC academy, Dabas made his senior team debut with Punjab FC in 2019. The following season he moved to Minerva Punjab before signing for RoundGlass in November 2020.
The young shot-stopper spent a season with Lonestar Kashmir FC before joining Chennaiyin FC ahead of the ISL 2021/22 season.
Singh started his career with Royal Wahingdoh in 2012 and his impressive performances with the team saw him get an ISL call-up with NorthEast United. During his loan spell with the ISL team in 2015, Singh impressed others and was signed by Salgaocar in 2016.
Singh was roped in by NorthEast United in 2016. After four seasons with NorthEast United, Singh signed for Chennaiyin in 2020.
After graduating from the Pune FC youth academy in 2013, Ranjan signed for their senior team the same year.
Ranjan spent two seasons on loan with Bengaluru FC and NorthEast United in the ISL and in 2017 made the switch to ISL permanent, signing up for Bengaluru FC. After a season with the Bangalore team, he signed a two-year deal with East Bengal. He then moved back to the ISL, signing a three-year deal with ATK. Following the end of his contract with the Kolkata franchise, Ranjan signed for Chennaiyin in 2021 on a multi-year deal.
Lalrinzuala was a member of Bethlehem Vengthlang and the AIFF Elite Academy, graduating in 2016.
Lalrinzuala signed for Chennaiyin in 2016 after impressing the team staff. He made his senior debut the same year in the ISL. The following season, he spent a year out on loan with DSK Shivajians and at the start of the 2017 season, he returned to Chennaiyin, and has since become a crucial member of the Marina Machans.
Hailing from Patiala, Singh began his career at Dalbir Football Academy and then moved to Punjabi University.
Singh’s talent caught the eyes of many, and he was signed by Mumbai City for the 2017 edition of the ISL. After four seasons with the Mumbai franchise, Singh was signed by Chennaiyin ahead of the 2021 season.
Born in New Delhi, Devrani started out in the youth setup of East Bengal.
Devrani made his professional debut in 2010 with Pailan Arrows and after three seasons with the team, he shifted to Sporting Clube de Goa in 2013. He shifted once again the following season, moving to the ISL with Pune City, but limited game time meant he moved to Minerva Punjab in 2016. After three years with the Punjab team, the centre-back spent a season with TRAU in 2019 before moving to Gokulam Kerala for the 2020-21 season. Ahead of the 2021-22 season, Devrani signed a one-year deal with Chennaiyin.
Das was a graduate of the Tata Football Academy and after graduating, he signed his first professional deal with Pailan Arrows in 2012. After an impressive first season, Das was signed by Goan heavyweights Dempo in 2013, where he spent three seasons.
During his time with Dempo, Das spent a season on loan with FC Goa in the ISL. Das moved to East Bengal ahead of the 2015 season and after a season with the Kolkata team he moved to Pune City. Das moved back to FC Goa in 2017 before spending the next two years with Delhi Dynamos and Odisha FC on year-long deals. Das returned to East Bengal in 2020 but spent only a season there before signing a two-year deal with Chennaiyin in 2021.
Montenegrin footballer Damjanovi? started his professional career with ?elik Nikši? in 2009. After two years with the club, he spent the next three years moving betweens clubs such as Mogren, Sutjeska Nikši?, Mornar Bar and Serbian clubs Spartak Subotica and Ba?ka Subotica.
He moved to Hungary in 2015, signing a year-long deal with Békéscsaba before shifting back to Montenegro with Sutjeska Nikši?. Between 2017 and 2020, he spent time in Montenegro, South Africa and Uzbekistan playing for Bidvest Wits, Budu?nost Podgorica, Lokomotiv Tashkent and TSC Ba?ka Topola.
Ahead of the 2021 season, Damjanovi? signed a one-year deal with Chennaiyin.
19 year old Ganesan is a graduate of the Reliance Foundation Young Champs academy.
Ganesan got his first break with Chennaiyin FC in 2020 and after an impressive season with the B team, Ganesan was promoted to the senior squad in October 2021
Hailing for Gurdaspur in Punjab, Singh is a graduate of the AIFF Academy.
After leaving the AIFF Academy, Singh signed for Dempo in 2015, making is senior debut the same year in the I-League. Singh spent two seasons with Dempo before moving back to Punjab with Minerva Punjab in 2017. After a solitary season with Minerva Punjab, Singh signed a multi-year deal with Chennaiyin in 2017.
Vanspaul spent his youth with the Indian Bank RC team before making his professional debut for them in 2010.
After three seasons with the Indian Bank team, Vanspaul moved to Chennai FC for a season in 2014. Two seasons later, he moved to Chennai City in the I-League.
Vanspaul made the switch to the ISL in 2019, signing for Chennaiyin on a multi-year deal.
One of the country’s most promising talents, Thapa graduated from the AIFF Elite Academy in 2016.
Impressing all at the junior national levels and the AIFF academy, Thapa was signed by Chennaiyin on a long-term deal. The India international is a crucial member of the Chennai team’s squad and is integral to the Marina Machans’ plans to lift the ISL trophy.
After spending his youth career with Internacional and Empoli in Italy, Rafael made his professional debut in 2009 with Caxias in Brazil.
Between 2010 and 2015, Rafael spent time with Brazilian and Portuguese clubs Guaratinguetá, Vitória Guimarães and Trofense. The midfielder signed for Emirati club Ajman Club in 2015 but spent only a season there before moving to Poland, signing for Wis?a Kraków. Between 2016 and 2019, Rafael remained on the move, playing for Arouca in Portugal, Sepahan in Iran and Feirense in Portugual again.
In 2019, Chennaiyin signed Rafael on a multi-year deal. He currently serves as the club’s captain.
Poland international Borysiuk was a member of the TOP 54 Bia?a Podlaska youth setup. Borysiuk made his professional debut at the age of 16 with Legia Warsaw in 2007. After five seasons with them, he signed for German club 1. FC Kaiserslautern where he stayed for three seasons.
Borysiuk returned to Poland with Lechia Gda?sk for a season before moving back to Legia Warsaw. He joined Queens Park Rangers in 2016, spending three seasons with English club, but an unsuccessful spell saw him return to Poland in 2019, signing for Lechia Gda?sk. The Polish midfielder spent the following two years spending a year each at Sheriff Tiraspol and Jagiellonia Bia?ystok.
Ahead of the 2021 season, Chennaiyin signed the Polish international on a one-year deal. The Chennai franchise will hope he brings all his experience from his time in the Bundesliga, the Championship, the Russian Premier League and the Ekstraklasa to help them fight for silverware.
Born in Chennai, Ganesh spent his youth career with I-League side Pune FC before making his senior team debut for them in 2011.
Ganesh spent five seasons with the Pune side, during which he had a loan spell with Chennaiyin. Ganesh made the Chennaiyin move permanent in 2016 and has been part of their championship winning squads on two occasions — in 2015 and 2017.
Veteran Hungary international Koman is one of the side’s most decorated players who has played almost all over the world.
Koman started his career in 2004 with Hungarian side Szombathely before moving to Serie A with Sampdoria in 2005.
He spent seven seasons in Italy before moving to Ligue 1 side AS Monaco in 2012. After a season with the Ligue 1 side, Koman moved to Russia, signing a multi-year deal with Krasnodar. Koman returned to Hungary in 2015, signing for Diósgy?r. The next four years saw Koman have spells in Turkey and Iran with Adanaspor and Sepahan. Koman spent a season in the UAE with Hatta before signing for Chennaiyin in 2021 on a one-year deal.
Koman has won multiple trophies worldwide and has represented his national team numerous times. Chennaiyin will look up to the Hungarian’s vision to help them get a third ISL trophy.
A member of the Chennaiyin youth setup, Pasha signed up for their B team in 2017. Pasha spent two seasons with I-League team Chennai City FC before returning to Chennaiyin in 2021.
Pasha’s father, Syed Subir Pasha, is the current assistant coach of the Chennaiyin team.
A graduate of the Mumbai FC academy, Assisi spent his early career with Bank of India, Reliance Foundation Young Champs before joining Chennaiyin in 2019.
Assisi was a part of the Chennaiyin B team before joining I-League second division team Ahmedabad Racquet FC. Assisi spent a season with ARA FC before having short stints with Real Kashmir and Hyderya Sports.
In September 2021, Chennaiyin roped in the midfielder on a multi-year deal.
Born in Kolkata, Majhi spent his youth career with Kalighat Milan before signing for Chennaiyin FC in September 2021 on a three year deal.
Hailing from Barrackpore, West Bengal, Ali is a graduate of the Mohun Bagan youth academy and the AIFF Elite Academy. Ali represented India at the U17 World Cup, and his impressive performances earned him a senior team call-up with Indian Arrows in 2017.
Following two mixed seasons with the Arrows, Ali was signed by Chennaiyin on a multi-year deal in 2019.
Another member of the India U17 World Cup squad, Meetei graduated from the AIFF Elite Academy in 2017 before signing for Indian Arrows the same year.
After two seasons with the Arrows, Meetei moved to NorthEast United in 2019, but limited opportunities during his two-year stint there meant that ahead of the 2021 season, Meetei signed a three-year deal with Chennaiyin.
Born in Trivandum, Kerala, Justin spent his youth career with a host of clubs such as Kerala University, Travancore Titanium, Kerala State Football Team and the Kerala State Electricity Board Football team before making his professional debut in 2017 with Kolkata giants East Bengal.
Justin spent two seasons with East Bengal in the I-League before moving to the ISL with ATK, staying on with them even after their merger with Mohun Bagan.
Ahead of the 2021-22 season, Justin signed for Chennaiyin.
Kyrgyzstan international Murzaev began his career with Molodyozhnaya Sbornaya in 2005. The following season, he signed for Muras-Sport Bishkek and spent a season with the club.
Murzaev then signed for Dordoi Bishkek, where he spent three seasons before moving to Israel, signing for Hapoel Petah Tikva. Between 2012 and 2018, Murzaev moved around, spending short stints with Dordoi Bishkek, Denizlispor, Afjet Afyonspor, Uta? U?akspor, and Serik Belediyespor, spending time mostly in Turkey.
Murzaev returned to Dordoi Bishkek in 2019 before moving to Chennaiyin ahead of the 2021-22 season.
Gikiewicz is another one on the Chennaiyin squad who has a wealth of experience and will be looking to use that to help the Chennai team take home their third title.
After spending his youth career with Warmia Olsztyn, Stomil Olsztyn and Tempo 25 Olsztyn in Poland, Gikiewicz made his professional debut in 2004 with DKS Dobre Miasto. The Polish striker spent the next few years with Motor Lubawa, KS Drw?ca and Olimpia Elbl?g.
He moved to Wigry Suwa?ki in 2007 and spent a season there before moving to Unia Janikowo. Between 2009 and 2017, Gikiewicz spent time in Poland, Cyrpus, Kazakhstan, Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia and Thailand with Polonia Bytom, ?KS ?ód?, ?l?sk Wroc?aw, Omonia, Tobol, AEL Limassol, Levski Sofia, Al-Wehda and Ratchaburi Mitr Phol.
Gikiewicz moved to Jordan in 2017 with Al-Faisaly and spent a year with them before moving to Saudi Arabia with Hajer. He spent the next two three years with FCSB, Al-Faisaly and East Riffa.
In August 2021, Chennaiyin signed the Polish striker on a one-year deal.
After graduating from the DSK Shivajians youth system, Chhangte made his professional debut with the Pune side in 2016.
Chhangte spent his first year with DSK on loan at NorthEast United. The following season, he was signed by Delhi Dynamos on a multi-year deal, and after two seasons with the Delhi franchise, the India international signed for Chennaiyin in 2019.
Known for his pace and precision, Chhangte is currently one of the most promising talents in the Chennai squad.
Another youngster, Mathews spent his early career with PIFA Sports FC Colaba and Mumbai FC.
Mathews made his professional debut with Pune City FC before the 20 year old signed for Chennaiyin FC
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