FC Goa bolster defence with signing of Nim Dorjee Tamang

Goa, January 31, 2023: FC Goa are delighted to announce the acquisition of defender Nim Dorjee Tamang on a short-term contract until the culmination of the ongoing 2023-24 season.

The seasoned defender brings a wealth of experience and skill to the Gaurs as they intensify their pursuit of the top honours in the Indian Super League (ISL).

Nim Dorjee’s journey in football began at the prestigious Indian Air Force academy before his talents earned him a spot in the India U-16 national team. He honed his skills further in the youth setup of Shillong Lajong, gradually ascending to the first-team ranks.

His impressive performances saw him captain Lajong in his final season with them before embarking on a career in the ISL. The 28-year-old defender made his mark in the Indian top-flight with stints at FC Pune City and NorthEast United, where he played a pivotal role in guiding the latter to the ISL Cup playoffs during the 2020-21 season.

His tenure at Hyderabad FC that followed, under the tutelage of then-head coach Manolo Marquez, further showcased his defensive prowess, culminating in the team’s triumphant Cup campaign.

Nim’s partnership with Odei Onaindia in Hyderabad’s defence was instrumental in the team’s commendable performance in the 2022-23 season, where they finished as runners-up in the race for the ISL Shield. Now, at FC Goa, he reunites with Coach Marquez and Onaindia, aiming to bolster the Gaurs’ title aspirations as they currently sit just two points adrift of the league leaders, Kerala Blasters.

Commenting on the signing, FC Goa’s head coach Manolo Marquez expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Nim Dorjee Tamang is an experienced defender with a proven track record in the ISL. He is aggressive and has a good aerial game. He played three consecutive Cup play-offs in ISL, one with NorthEast and two with Hyderabad being an important player in all of them.

“I’m happy to have him here with us, and I look forward to seeing him contribute positively to our successes,” the tactician continued.

Nim Dorjee himself expressed his excitement about joining FC Goa, saying, “FC Goa is one of the top teams in India with the right ambitions. It’s wonderful to be here now. I’m also glad to reunite with Coach Manolo and my former teammate Odei, who is one of the best defenders in the league currently.

“Having worked with them in the past, I hope to integrate quickly within the team’s system and continue their momentum in the ISL. Eagerly looking forward to the next game,” he added.

About FC Goa

FC Goa is a professional football club based out of Goa that competes in the Indian Super League (ISL). Nicknamed the Gaurs, FC Goa has been one of the most consistently successful teams in the ISL – reaching 4 semi-finals and 2 finals in 9 seasons.

Heading into the 2023-24 season of the Hero ISL, FC Goa hold the record for the most goals, joint-most golden boots and most number of playoff appearances (6 in total) in the history of the competition.

In 2020, FC Goa also became the first team from India to qualify for the league stages of the AFC Champions League, by virtue of winning the first-ever ISL League Winners Shield in the 2019-20 season.

The Gaurs’ trophy cabinet is further adorned by the 2019 Super Cup, the 2018-19 Goa Pro League, the 2020 Goa Police Cup and the 2021 Durand Cup.

Co-owned by Mr Jaydev Mody, Mr Akshay Tandon and Mr Virat Kohli, FC Goa are one of the few Indian clubs to have a complete youth development ecosystem. Its U13, U15, U17, U19 and Developmental Teams compete at the highest levels in Goa and India.