Did East Bengal FC Sign Fazila Ikwaput, Shilky Devi & Payal Basude for the 2025-26 Season?

Kolkata, Aug 1 (NationPress) East Bengal FC Women have officially welcomed former champions of the Indian Women’s League (IWL), Fazila Ikwaput, Shilky Devi, and Payal Basude, for the upcoming 2025-26 season.

Fazila, a forward for the Ugandan national team, has been the leading scorer in the last two editions of the IWL.

Meanwhile, Shilky, a midfielder, and Payal, a goalkeeper, are integral parts of the senior Indian women’s national team. All three players have joined the Red & Gold Brigade from Gokulam Kerala FC.

The addition of these talented athletes highlights Emami East Bengal FC’s dedication to creating a competitive women’s team capable of defending their domestic league titles, the IWL and the CWFL, and striving for success at an international level during the AFC Women’s Champions League.

Currently serving as the vice-captain of the Ugandan women’s national team, Fazila is gearing up for her fourth season in Indian football. The two-time IWL Golden Boot winner has scored an impressive 42 goals in the league and was the first Ugandan female footballer to compete in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, representing the Kazakh club BIIK-Shymkent in 2018.

A skilled midfielder known for her insight and determination, Shilky is a consistent starter for the Blue Tigresses. She was named the Best Midfielder of the IWL 2024-25 due to her remarkable performance throughout the league. In 2022, the player from Manipur became the youngest participant in the AFC Women’s Asia Cup at just 16. Having progressed through various national team age groups, Shilky was pivotal in leading the Blue Tigresses to qualify for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, which will take place in Australia next year. At just nineteen, she has already won the IWL in 2022-23 and the Senior Women’s National Football Championship in 2023-24.

From Maharashtra, Payal is currently part of the senior Indian women’s squad. The young goalkeeper has valuable experience playing in the IWL with Odisha FC and Gokulam Kerala over recent seasons. Welcoming the trio to the club, East Bengal FC Women’s Head Coach Anthony Andrews, who has previously coached them at GKFC, stated, “Reuniting with these players is fantastic. Fazila is a natural leader on the field. She is fast, decisive, and perfectly aligns with our play style. She elevates our standards and introduces the winning mentality crucial for us both on and off the field.”

“Shilky offers an excellent mix of flair and control. Having played under me before, she understands our expectations and consistently delivers with maturity and ambition.”

“Payal is a disciplined and intelligent player who comprehends our system thoroughly. Her work ethic, serene demeanor, and commitment to her team create a significant impact on the field.”