ISL: Bilal Khan set for a move to Kerala Blasters

Indian Super League (ISL) outfit Kerala Blasters have secured the services of Bilal Khan for the 2019-20 season, Goal can confirm.

Khan is all set to become the second signing for the Kochi-based outfit after the appointment of Viren D'Silva as club CEO. The Yellows have already snapped up Indian Arrows' Rahul KP, who also hails from the state of Kerala.

The Uttar Pradesh-born Khan was contracted with fellow ISL side FC Pune City but never made a senior ISL appearance for the Stallions. He was then loaned out to newly-promoted I-League outfit Real Kashmir at the start of the 2018-19 season.

With the Srinagar-based side, Khan kept nine clean sheets in 19 league games and was awarded with the title of 'Best Goalkeeper of the I-League'. He helped the Snow Leopards finish third in the league.

Khan is no stranger to Kerala as he turned out for Gokulam Kerala FC in the 2017-18 I-League. The 24-year-old has previously played for Churchill Brothers, Mohammedan Sporting and Hindustan FC across both the top and second divisions in the country.

Former U-17 World Cupper Dheeraj Singh, who was primarily the first choice goalkeeper under both David James and Nelo Vingada, is expected to stay at the club.

However, it remains to be seen if Naveen Kumar, who was sent out on-loan to FC Goa and played the ISL final with the Gaurs, returns.