ISL 2018-19: Chennaiyin FC sign Deepak Tangri, Rahim Ali & Abhijit Sarkar

The three promising youngsters have been snapped up by the ISL champions but will be loaned back to the Indian Arrows...

Defending (ISL) champions have signed youngsters Abhijit Sarkar, Rahim Ali and Deepak Tangri, Goal can confirm.

Rahim and Sarkar were part of the team which participated in the U17 World Cup last year while Tangri joined the last season. All three have signed three-year deals with the South Indian outfit.

Having secured them on long deals, Chennaiyin FC will allow them to back on loan to Indian Arrows which will participate in the . The deal allows the youngsters to gain valuable game time and ensure their development.

Abhijit Sarkar, who plays as an attacking midfielder or as a supporting striker, has been one of the most impressive players for the Indian Arrows. The 18-year-old from Bengal was the Arrows' highest scorer in the I-League last season with four goals in his kitty.

Deepak Tangri can play as a central defender as well as a defensive midfielder. The 19-year-old is a first choice for the U19 teams and the Arrows, for whom he made 13 appearances last season in the I-League. He also scored the opening goal in India U20 team's famous 2-1 win over .

Rahim Ali, meanwhile, is a striker who has been vying for the starting spot in the Arrows side with Aniket Jadhav. The 18-year-old from Bengal made 17 appearances last season in the I-League for Arrows.

The trio will be hoping the move to Chennaiyin FC pays dividends, given the club's track record in developing and handing youngsters first-team opportunities.