Sporting Club Delhi (SC Delhi) has made a significant addition to their squad by signing Lalrinliana Hnamte, the captain of the India U-23 team. The 23-year-old midfielder has agreed to a three-year contract that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2028-29 season, following a mutual termination of his contract with Chennaiyin FC. The deal is pending a successful medical examination.

Hnamte's Journey and Experience

Despite his young age, Hnamte brings a wealth of experience to SC Delhi. He began his career at Chanmari FC before moving to Pune City FC’s youth setup. After that, he had stints with East Bengal, where he made 17 ISL appearances, and later with Mohun Bagan, where he played 34 matches over two seasons. Most recently, he spent two seasons at Chennaiyin FC, making 38 appearances across all competitions.

Hnamte's performances have also earned him a spot on the India U-23 national team, where he made his debut in June 2025 and has since captained the side in eight appearances.

Versatile Midfielder for SC Delhi

Primarily a defensive midfielder, Hnamte is also adept at playing as a central midfielder, enhancing SC Delhi's tactical options. In the 2025-26 season, he participated in 12 ISL matches for Chennaiyin FC, accumulating 802 minutes of play. His experience includes a total of 77 ISL appearances and two AFC Cup appearances, along with victories in the ISL Cup, ISL Shield, and Durand Cup.

Hnamte's signing adds depth to SC Delhi's midfield, potentially allowing him to partner with Burundian international David Richard Ndayishimiye in the upcoming season.

SC Delhi has been active in the transfer market this summer, having also extended contracts for several players while parting ways with captain Alex Saji, who has joined Mohun Bagan SG. The club is focused on strengthening its squad ahead of the 2026-27 season.