Putting to rest the speculation surrounding injured Adrian Luna’s replacement, Kerala Blasters have hired the services of Lithuanian forward Fedor Cernych.
“The contract is till the end of this season. We are hoping that Luna will be fit and will join the squad next season,” said a source close to the management.
“Though both the player and club have reached an agreement , the transfer is subject to a medical which will be completed in due course,” said the source. Cernych will be joining the team only after the Super cup and will be available for the next match of the Indian Super League.
Born in Russia into a Russian family of Lithuanian descent, Cernych was brought up in Vilnius, Lithuania by his grandparents. Starting his football career at an LFF II League side Granitas Vilnius in 2007, Cernych moved to Dnepr Mogilev in 2009.
He was then loaned to Naftan Novopolotsk in 2012, and two years later he moved to the Polish club Gornik Leczna. In 2018, he signed for Russia’s Dynamo Moscow before being loaned out to FC Orenburg in 2019. In 2020 he returned to his former club Jagiellonia Bialystok after his contract with Dynamo Moscow was dissolved by mutual consent.
Making his international debut in 2012, Cernych has scored 12 goals for his national side. Cernych played as a left winger at the club level in most games but can also adapt to the role of a centre forward. Luna played mainly in the centre midfield position and often played as a striker.
Since Luna’s injury, Vibin Mohanan has played in Luna’s position and has done a good job. It is learnt that the Blasters management decided to rope in a player with attacking prowess to sharpen their forward line. Making his international debut in 2012, Cernych has scored 12 goals for his national side.