ISL: Wayde Lekay returns to Churchill Bros on transfer deadline day
Panaji: Churchill Brothers FC are showing faith in their former players as they prepare for their Indian Super League (ISL) debut.Several players who were part of their impressive 2024-25 campaign have now returned to the club with South African striker Wayde Lekay the latest name on a growing list.Lekay joins Colombian attacking midfielder Sebastian Gutierrez and Burkina Faso midfielder Dramane Salou as the three foreign players at the club so far.“The transfer was pulled off on deadline day (the last day to sign contracted players),” a senior club official told TOI. “The chances were slim because of his wages at his current club in the top tier of South African football, but Wayde believes he still has something to offer to Goan football.”Lekay joins Churchill from Siwelele FC, a club that competes in South African Premiership.The South African striker was part of the Churchill squad that finished second behind Inter Kashi FC in 2024-25. He was an automatic starter under coach Dimitris Dimitriou and had 16 goal contributions, with 12 goals and four assists. Only David Castenada (17) and Douglas Rosa Tardin (13) scored more that season.Churchill will make their debut in the ISL this season after Tata Steel approved the transfer of its 100% stake in Jamshedpur Football and Sporting Private Limited (JFSPL), the company that owns Jamshedpur FC, to the Goan club.
