ISL: Atletico de Kolkata sign players from East Bengal and Mohun Bagan

Bikash Jairu the latest signing by ATK.  Image Source: india.com
Bikash Jairu the latest signing by ATK. Image Source: india.com

Internet Desk: Atletico de Kolkata officials have been clever in selecting the squad for the upcoming edition of the ISL. They have given more stressed on players from the two giants to attract the Kolkata crowd. They have signed almost 9 players from the two giants East Bengal and Mohun Bagan.

Atletico de Kolkata have agreed terms with East Bengal to sign Bikash Jairu on loan for the next edition of the Indian Super League (ISL).

The 25-year-old, who turned up for FC Pune City last season, was on the radar of as many as six ISL franchises before Atletico de Kolkata managed to prise him away.

Jairu was arguably one of the best Indian players in the 2015-16 I-League season before he picked up an injury in the 2018 World Cup qualifier tie against Iran in March. Apart from his three goals, he assisted several goals and was a key component of Biswajit Bhattacharya’s team.

The former Mumbai Tigers winger will look to replicate his form of East Bengal at Atletico de Kolkata after a rather disappointing stint with FC Pune City in his first ISL season.

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ATK have also sealed the deal with other East Bengal players in the Arnab Mondal, Dika and Robert.

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The star signing from Mohun Bagan for ATK has been goalkeepers Debjit Majumdar and Shilton Pal with Pritam Kotal and Prabir Das.

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The Kolkata franchisee have retained Jewel Raja from the last year’s squad and the foreigners retained are Iain Hume, Oftense Nato and Sameehg Doutie. Gavilan too is set to be retained.

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The latest signing by ATK has been defender Keegan Pereira from Bengaluru FC.

Meanwhile, Brazilian Sergio Farias is set to become the new coach of North East United FC.

The 48 year-old who has coached the Brazil U-20 team over two spells (1998-99 & 2001), has signed with the ISL franchise for the third edition of the competition.

He has also managed his country’s U-17 team, who he led to glory in the 2001 South American Championship.

Farias brings with him a wealth of experience when it comes to working with talented young players. Apart from coaching former World Player of the Year, Ronaldinho, at the U-20 level, the likes of Lucio and Diego have also been groomed under him.

He made his mark on the Asian football circuit as well with South Korean side Pohang Steelers, winning the AFC Champions League while also securing the K-League title in 2009 when he was named Coach of the Year.

The Brazilian even guided the Asian side to a 2008 Korean FA Cup triumph and a third place finish in the 2009 Club World Cup.

Farias is an admirer of Carlo Ancelotti. Despite liking Jose Mourinho as well, he stated back in 2009 that he believed the Italian to be a more complete manager.