ISL 2022-23: Mumbai City FC signs Indian Arrows goalkeeper Ahan Prakash

Ahan made his I-League debut in January 2021 and became the youngest player to win the Hero of the Match, when his team beat Mohammedan SC.

Ahan Prakash with the Mumbai City FC jersey | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Indian Super League side Mumbai City FC has signed 18-year-old goalkeeper Ahan Prakash from Indian Arrows for the ISL 2022-23 season.

Ahan, who was born in Bihar but relocated to Bengaluru, represented Bengaluru FC’s U-13s and went on to represent Karnataka’s state team at the Sub-Junior National football tournament in 2017.

In 2018, he was even named captain of the state side for the youth tournament. In 2020, Ahan joined the Indian Arrows and made his debut for the developmental side in January 2021 in the I-league.

Showing exponential growth after his debut, Ahan made seven more appearances until the end of the I League season in 2021. In his debut campaign, he showcased his prodigious talent as he became the youngest recipient of the Hero of The Match in the history of the I-league.

At just 16 years of age, he also became the youngest captain in the history of the I-League when he led the Indian Arrows to a 3-0 victory against NEROCA on March 6, 2021.

Ahan Prakash has also gradually established himself in the junior National Team setup. He was called up to the India U-15 squad at the Torneo Delle Nazioni in Italy back in 2019 but made his first appearances for India for the U-17s at a Tri-Nation Series in Dubai and the Future Champions Tournament in Johannesburg.

“Mumbai City FC is one of the biggest clubs in India and it is an absolute honour for me to join them. To be around and to be able to learn from the very best footballers in the country will only help my growth and allow me to showcase what I can do.

This is an opportunity I am ready to make the most of and I cannot wait to begin my journey with my new family in Mumbai,” Ahan said.

Ahan’s recruitment will add further depth in the squad of Mumbai City FC, which sits on top of the Indian Super League table, with an unbeaten streak in the league so far. It has seen the rise of goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa to prominence and Ahan may well follow the goalie’s footsteps in the future.

“Ahan is a talented goalkeeper and has shown real potential already in his young age. Here at Mumbai City FC, we are firm believers in working with and developing the best young talents in India.

Ahan has shown his talent at youth level, both with his club and internationally while representing India. We look forward to helping him embed himself in the club’s environment to enable him to grow and realise his future potential,” Mumbai City FC head coach Des Buckingham said.