Internet Desk: Kerala Blasters today revealed its latest addition with the signing of Aaron Hughes, Northern Ireland’s, who recently played for Euro Cup 2016,most experienced campaigner and veteran international, as marquee player for the upcoming edition of the Indian Super League 2016.
Known as a cultured defender, Aaron Hughes is the most capped outfield player in Northern Ireland’s history and has captained Northern Ireland on forty-six occasions to date after his first captaincy in April 2002. After having played for U16, U18 and ‘B’ level, his debut in international football came in March 1998 against Slovakia, and he has since earned 103 caps for Northern Ireland.
A dramatic debut with Newcastle United FC at the age of 18 in 1997 lead to 278 appearances for the Magpies before moving to Aston Villa FC for two seasons. This was followed by a very successful seven years at Fulham and later brief stints with Queens Park Rangers, Brighton& Hove Albion and Melbourne City.
Steve Coppell said, “Aaron Hughes’as a marquee player bringing a wealth of experience, he will also mentor the players. I am looking forward to working with him.”
Meanwhile, Indian Super League champions Chennaiyin FC is delighted to announce that they have signed former ISL winner Baljit Sahni on a one-year deal. Baljit, who hails from Hoshiarpur in Punjab and is capable of playing in different positions including on the wing and upfront, played the first two ISL seasons for Atletico de Kolkata.
He won the ISL title with ATK in 2014, scoring two goals that season, and reached the semi-finals last year. After ISL 2015, Baljit was on loan from ATK to DSK Shivajians in the I-League and now joins Chennaiyin on a permanent deal after the expiry of his contract at the Kolkata franchise.
Like the majority of players from Punjab, Baljit started his career at JCT where he moved up from the youth teams to the senior setup. The 29-year-old spent three consistent seasons there, playing either as forward or winger.
He became the first Indian to score a hattrick in the I-League with his treble coming against Shillong Lajong at the start of the 2009-10 season. In 2009 he was also adjudged the Best Young Player in India by other footballers of the country and also went on to represent India U-23 at the 2010 AFC Challenge Cup.
Baljit earned a move to Kolkata giants East Bengal in 2010 and spent five seasons there. He won almost every trophy with East Bengal and narrowly missed out on the I-League. The three goals in the 2011 AFC Cup was possibly the highlight.