Sreenidi Deccan FC completed the signing of Senegalese midfielder Pape Gassama ahead of the Indian Football League 2025–26 season, as the club adds a crucial engine to its midfield for the upcoming campaign.
The 29-year-old central midfielder joins the Deccan Warriors after established stints in Indian football, most recently with Churchill Brothers FC. Gassama brings significant European experience to the squad, having started his career in France with US Créteil-Lusitanos, where he featured in Ligue 2, the French second division. His career has also seen him ply his trade in Belgium with Royal Cappellen and in Romania with AFC Turris, adding a layer of tactical versatility to his game.
Gassama arrives in Hyderabad on the back of a standout 2024–25 I-League season. As a commanding presence in the middle of the park, he registered an impressive 6 goals and 1 assist in 21 appearances and was adjudged the Best Midfielder of the League. Known for his ball-winning ability, distribution, and knack for scoring crucial goals from midfield, Gassama is expected to dictate play and provide stability to Sreenidi Deccan FC’s formation.
Sreenidi Deccan FC’s Chief Football Officer, Fabio Ferreira, addressed the signing of Gassama and said, “We are very pleased to have Pape join us. He is a midfielder who understands the rhythm of the league perfectly. His experience gives him a high level of tactical maturity, and we believe his energy and leadership in the midfield will be key for us this season.”
Speaking on his move to Sreenidi Deccan FC, Gassama said, “I am thrilled to sign for Sreenidi Deccan FC. It is a club with a clear vision and a hunger to win, which matches my own ambition. My time in India has been very rewarding, and I enjoyed my football last season, but now I am ready for this new challenge. I look forward to helping the team, my teammates, and giving the fans plenty of reasons to celebrate.”
