Lalthathanga Khawlhring (born 30 March 1998), commonly known as Puitea, is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Indian Super League club Odisha.
Born in Mizoram, Lalthathanga began his career with Bethlehem Vengthlang in the Mizoram Premier League before joining DSK Shivajians's academy. After the 2015âÂÂ16 season, Lalthathanga was named as the best midfielder in the league.
On 8 January 2017 Lalthathanga made his professional debut for DSK Shivajians in their opening I-League fixture of the 2016âÂÂ17 season against Mumbai. He started and played the full match despite DSK Shivajians falling 1âÂÂ0 at the Cooperage Ground.
On 29 July 2017, NorthEast United announced that they had completed a transfer for Lalthathanga, who signed a three-year contract but was immediately loaned to Aizawl for the 2017âÂÂ18 season. He was a mainstay for Aizawl during the season, and would finish the season with a solitary goal.
After successful season with Aizawl, Lalthathanga came back to NorthEast United for season 2018âÂÂ19 season. On 1 October 2018, he made his debut against Goa. He played one more season there and made a total of 29 appearances for the club.
On 16 September, he was signed by Kerala Blasters FC on a three-year deal. He made his debut for the Blasters against ATK Mohun Bagan on 20 November 2020, coming as a substitute in the 47th minute, where the match ended 1âÂÂ0 in favour of ATK Mohun Bagan. He scored his first-ever goal in Indian Super League and for the club against Bengaluru FC on 20 January 2021, coming on as a 46th minute substitute for Jordan Murray and the match ended 2âÂÂ1 in favour for Kerala Blasters.
Puitea was included in the Kerala Blasters squad for the 2021 Durand Cup, and played all three matches for the club in the tournament. He played his first match of the 2021âÂÂ22 Indian Super League on 25 November 2021, which ended in a 0âÂÂ0 draw as a substitute for Ayush Adhikari in the 60th minute of the game. Puitea played a fundamental role in Kerala Blasters 3âÂÂ1 victory over Mumbai City FC on 2 March 2022, and was chosen as the man of the match in the post-match conference. He formed a solid partnership with Jeakson Singh in the midfield and helped the Blasters to reach the finals, which they lost to Hyderabad on penalties.
On 29 December 2022, Puitea was announced to have agreed to join ATK Mohun Bagan for an undisclosed fee subject to the player completing a medical. On 18 March 2023, he won the 2022âÂÂ23 Indian Super League trophy as ATK Mohun Bagan FC beat Bengaluru FC in the final on penalties.
ATK Mohun Bagan
Kerala Blasters
Individual