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Kolkata: One of the primary reasons for NorthEast United FC finishing ninth on the Indian Super League table was their lack of goals and, more specifically, the absence of the prolific Alaaeddine Ajaraie.But after a season where they scored 17 goals and conceded 21 with the Moroccan striker on loan at Indonesian Super League’s Persija Jakarta, the future looked brighter for the Highlanders on Thursday with Ajaraie – the holder of the record for most goals in an ISL season – putting his trust in the club on paper by signing a contract extension of two years that will see him at NEUFC till the end of the 2027-28 season.
The significance of the Moroccan’s move was not lost on Highlanders manager Juan Pedro Benali as he looks forward to guiding the team to a much better season next time around.“Keeping Alaaeddine with us is fantastic news for the club,” he said.“His quality is clear for everyone to see, but what makes him truly special is his humility, professionalism and commitment to the team every single day. He represents the values we want at NorthEast United, and I’m excited to continue working together as we chase even bigger objectives.”After a truncated ISL season, followed by a mid-season loan spell in Indonesia, Ajaraie chose NEUFC as the club he wanted to return to and extended his loyalty till 2028. And it was more than the back-to-back Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards he won for his 36 goals in 37 matches that influenced his decision.“From the first day I arrived, the people at this club and the fans made me feel at home,” he explained in a club statement.
“We created some unforgettable memories together, but I believe our journey is far from over. I’m happy to continue wearing this badge, and I’ll keep giving everything I have to help this team and make our supporters proud.”With clarity on the organising of ISL still unavailable, it would be interesting to see if Ajaraie could uplift NEUFC next season or be forced to continue his journey on loan.
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