Mayakkannan commits to Highlanders for four more years

DIMAPUR — The NorthEast United FC has announced that midfielder Mayakkannan Muthu Irulandi has signed a contract extension that will keep him with the club till the end of the 2028 season.

A press release from the club mentioned that Mayakkannan joined Highlanders at the start of the 2024-25 season from an I-League side, Sreenidhi Deccan, and quickly became the mainstay of Juan Pedro Benali’s midfield.

Mayakkannan, 28, made an immediate impact upon his arrival as NorthEast United FC clinched the Durand Cup in a historic undefeated campaign. In the 2024-25 season, NorthEast United FC played a total of 33 games across competitions — Durand Cup, ISL, ISL Playoffs and Super Cup, out of which Mayakkannan featured in 31 games.

In the season, he played the most minutes for the club (2,972 minutes), covered the most distance (337.5 km), and had the most tackles (2.6 tackles per game).

“To start my NorthEast United FC journey with the Durand Cup triumph was a moment to cherish in my career, and I am delighted to extend my stay till 2028. I’m grateful for the trust the club has shown in me, and I am proud to continue this journey with the Highlanders,” Mayakkannan said.

“Mayakkannan is one of the best tactical players in India. He does the hard work that often goes unnoticed, the kind of work that wins games. Simply put, he’s the boss of the dirty work. We are proud to have him in NorthEast United FC,” Juan Pedro Benali, NorthEast United FC’s head coach, said.

“Mayakkannan has been a vital part of our midfield and embodies the spirit we want in our squad: committed, consistent, and selfless. He does the hard yards without fuss and plays a crucial role in balancing the team. We’re delighted to have him continue with us as we build towards a stronger future,” Mandar Tamhane, NorthEast United FC’s CEO, said.

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