NorthEast United Football Club begin pre-season with aim to defend Durand Cup title

DIMAPUR — NorthEast United FC officially kicked off their preparations for the 2025–26 season with an Open Training and Media Day on Sunday at the training ground, Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex, as the club sets its sights on defending their Durand Cup title.

Under the watchful eye of head coach Juan Pedro Benali, the Highlanders assembled in Guwahati ahead of their opening match against the Malaysian Armed Forces on August 2.

According to an update, the session marked the first appearance of the club’s new foreign signings — Chema Nunez, Jairo Samperio, and Andy Rodriguez — alongside new Indian recruits Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia and Lalbiakdika Vanlalvunga.

Also read: Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla attends Durand Cup trophy showcase

After the session, the fans were addressed by head coach Juan Pedro Benali and club captain Michel Zabaco, and the fans had an opportunity to interact with their favourite players.

Head coach Benali expressed his gratitude to the fans and reiterated the team’s commitment to the people of the Northeast.

“It feels great to come back home and get ready for the upcoming season. We are here to fight for Highlanders, we are here to fight for all eight states of the Northeast and fight for the badge,” Benali said.

“As defending champions of the Durand Cup, we don’t have any pressure. For us, the most important game is our first game of the tournament (on Aug 2). We play for the Cup in the final; we need to win the final, but to reach the final, we need first to win our first game,” Juan Pedro Benali told the reporters in the press conference.

“The Durand Cup is the tournament in the AIFF calendar, and we are the defending champions of it. It’s a tournament organised by the Indian Armed Forces, and it’s an honour and privilege to play in Asia’s oldest club competition,” Mandar Tamhane, CEO, NorthEast United FC, said.

Club captain Michel Zabaco expressed that the team will make the most of the three weeks of pre-season that they will get, and the team doesn’t feel any pressure.

“We have three weeks before we play our first game. We keep working hard to improve. We don’t feel any pressure (as defending champions). There are other teams as well, but we will give 100 per cent to win the title,” Zabaco said.

Redeem Tlang and Parthib Gogoi, who were also present for the press conference, echoed the sentiments of their captain and vowed to give their best in the upcoming season.

Sign Andy Rodriguez, Jairo Samperio

Meanwhile, the club has announced that they have signed a versatile Spaniard, Andy Rodriguez, for the 2025-26 season.

Rodriguez, 35, who played for FC Cartagena last season in the Spanish second division, is capable of playing multiple positions in the middle of the park and can also slot into the backline seamlessly. A graduate of the Real Madrid Academy, he has also played for Levante UD, SD Ponferradina and Burgos CF in the Spanish second division.

In the Spanish second division, he has played 219 matches and has scored 21 goals and 14 assists. Across Spanish divisions, he has played close to 450 games, scoring 66 goals and 18 assists.

“I am thrilled to join NorthEast United FC, as it will be my first time playing in India. I have heard amazing things about the club, and I am eager to get started. I am looking forward to contributing to the team’s success and creating some memorable moments on and off the pitch,” Rodriguez said.

It also announced the signing of Spaniard Jairo Samperio for the 2025-26 season.

It described Jairo, 31, as a versatile attacking player capable of playing on the wings, as a No. 9 and even as a No. 10. A product of Racing Santander's academy, he made his professional debut for the club in 2011 before moving to Sevilla FC in 2013.

In his only season with Sevilla FC, he scored four goals in 25 appearances and won the coveted UEFA Europa League. He then moved to Mainz 05 in the German Bundesliga, where he played for three seasons and scored in Mainz’s 2-1 win over Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich.

After Mainz, he had stints with Las Palmas in Spain, Hamburger SV in the German second division, Malaga CF in Spain, and stints with Hungarian top division clubs — Budapest Honved FC and Mezokovesdi SE. He last played for the Spanish third division club Sestao River before joining NorthEast United FC.

“I am delighted to join NorthEast United FC and ready for this exciting chapter of my career in India. Playing in a new league and representing such a passionate region is something I’m looking forward to. I cannot wait to feel the energy of the Highlanders’ fans and contribute to the team’s success,” Jairo said.