JFC can look forward to protecting its citadel with the tall presence of Raju Gaikwad, a Tata Football Academy (TFA) graduate and arguably the longest thrower of the ball in the country.
Gaikwad, a former defender with Mumbai City FC, will don the Jamshedpur Football Club’s jersey in the upcoming Hero Indian Super League starting September 29.
Standing at 6.3-feet, Gaikwad is an asset for any side and it is no wonder that JFC picked him to utilise his services at an important zone.
“I am happy to be back in Jamshedpur. I am indebted to TFA and would try my best to help my side in the ISL,” Gaikwad, a cadet of 2010 batch, said.
The 27-year-old said he felt steel city was like his home. “Yes, I am looking forward to playing in Jamshedpur in front of home crowd,” he added.
Recalling his days at the TFA, the experienced defender said they trained in the morning and afternoon sessions. “We used to remain busy from 6am till late evening. I have thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the cradle,” he added.
According to him, there is still a lot to learn in football. “It’s a learning process. We play for different clubs and train under different coaches. So it’s a learning journey. Professionalism is very different compared to training as a cadet,” he stressed.
On JFC’s pre-season training in Spain, Gaikwad said it went off nicely and would keep the team in good stead in the ISL. “We gelled well in Spain. The foreign footballers supported us. The trip helped us unite and develop camarad-erie. These two aspects are ve-ry vital for any team,” he said.
Gaikwad, who represented India Under-23 side from 2011-13 and the senior team in 2011, has played for different clubs during his career as a footballer. He has turned out for East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Pailan Arrows. He was with ISL franchise Mumbai City FC in the last season and played 12 matches before JFC roped him in June on a one-year deal.
“Gaikwad is an asset. He is an experienced defender known for his long throws. He is a vital cog in our defence line up,” said JFC CEO Mukul Chaudhari.
The club will play six matches on home turf as per the fixture announced by the ISL last month. The remaining fixtures will be announced in a later stage.
Tata Steel-owned franchise will launch their campaign against Mumbai City FC in Mumbai on October 2 before taking on last season's runner-up Bengaluru FC in Bangalore on October 7.
César Ferrando’s men will play their first home match against ATK at JRD Tata Sports Complex on October 21 and later lock horns with Northeast United FC in Guwahati on October 25.
