Goa, Oct, 2020.

Lack of suitors was never a problem for Phrangkie Buam. If turning heads was a trade, the teenager has become a master of it over the last few years.

After initially making a mark at the tender age of 12 in the U16 Meghalaya FA tournament, Buam has never let a chance of impressing escape his grasps. He caught the eye of all and sundry with not only his goals, but also his flair and ability on the ball.

The interest to sign him was soon to follow, but for Phrangki there was only one choice.

“I have to say that I was flattered by all the clubs that were linked with me and the multiple offers that I had. It was a sign that I was on the right track,” said Phrangki after signing a three-year contract.

“My agent would time and again inform me about the offers that were coming in. While they were tempting, I was not always convinced. Some had a great system in place, but the road to the senior team was not clear while others didn’t really show great potential for me to develop my game,” added the 19-year-old.

“However, when FC Goa came in for me, it was different. I had quietly become a fan of the club due to the playing style and the philosophy of the club. There is a great focus towards taking the initiative in games and that is in line with the mentality I go into games. If I look, it feels like it was the only choice I had.

“Besides all this, you can see how they have been working tirelessly with youngsters. Over the years I have seen Liston (Colaco), Princeton (Rebello), (Saviour) Gama and (Mohammad) Nawaz come through the ranks.

“And now this season Redeem (Tlang), (Makan) Chothe and Sanson (Pereira) came into the side. This seems to me to be the ideal project coming at the perfect time as I take the next step in my career.”