With the new season of the Indian Super League around the corner, Zilliz is all set to bring you the exciting journey, on and off the field happenings in India’s biggest football fest.
After an eventful display of football at the Asian stage, ATK Mohun Bagan FC will be eying for the top spots in the upcoming events, which includes the prestigious Durand Cup at home and the Indian Super League. The Kolkata based club ended the AFC CUP 2021 group stages with seven points from three matches, winning two, sharing the spoils in one game and secured first place in Group D.
The men in green and maroon have been quite active in the transfer market and have secured the services of experienced Indian players like Amrinder Singh, Deepak Tangri, Liston Colaco, Ashutosh Mehta and Bidyananda Singh. The team also had to bid adieu to some of the prominent names in Indian football, like Sandesh Jhingan, Arindam Bhattacharya, Pronay Halder, Jayesh Rane, Komal Thatal, Regin Michel and Joby Justin.
The foreign contingent also had some major revamps as Hugo Boumous joined the party along with Joni Kauko. While David Williams, Carl McHugh, Tiri and Roy Krishna continue their stay for the upcoming ISL; Javi Hernandez, Brad Inman, John Johnson and Edu Garcia won’t be a part of the Mariners this season. Let’s have a deep look at the foreign contingent of ATK Mohun Bagan.
HUGO BOMOUS
Hugo Adnan Bomous has been breaking transfer records in the Indian football scene, whether it be the swoop from FC Goa to Mumbai City FC or ATK Mohun Bagan FC. The French midfield maestro is undoubtedly one of the best in the league and this addition can create wonders. The 26-year-old made his baby steps with Stade Lavallois Mayenne FC in France and later moved to Moroccan side Mogheb Athletic de Tetouan. His stint in India began in 2018 when he joined FC Goa. With the Gaurs, he had an eventful spree, winning the ISL shield for the team and was awarded the Hero Of The League title. He moved to Mumbai City FC ahead of the 2020-21 season, where he ended up winning both the ISL Shield and the Trophy, defeating his new team in the finals. Hugo has already represented the mariners before ISL in the AFC campaign. He has signed a massive 5 year deal with the club.
JONI KAUKO
Joni Kauko is a new face for the ISL, but he is an active national team player for Finland. The 31-year-old also represented his country in the EURO 2020. The Finnish midfielder started his senior career with FC Inter Turku from which he later moved to FC Lahti, a Finnish Premier League side. He has also plyed his trade across the border in Germany and Denmark namely with FSV Frankfurt, FC Energie Cottbus, Randers FC, Esbjerg fB. Kauko has signed a two year deal with the Mariners.
ROY KRISHNA
The Fijian striker has been the goal poacher for the team since he first signed a deal back in 2019 with ATK from A-League side Wellington Phoenix. The 34-year-old has won the league title with ATK in his first stint in India along with netting 15 goals. His second year in India saw the merger between ATK and Mohun Bagan. Last season, the team finished second in the league table behind league champions Mumbai City FC as well as were defeated by the Islanders in the ISL finals. Roy played 23 matches last season scoring 14 goals and provided 8 assists, which earned him the title of Hero Of The League. Before the AFC campaign, the club announced that their star striker will be donning their colours for the upcoming season as well. At the Asian stage, Roy scored two goals for the team in the recently concluded AFC Cup group stages and have qualified for the next round.
DAVID WILLIAMS
Another important player who chose to stay with the Mariners is David Williams. The – 33 year – old Australian also joined the Kolkata side back in the 2019 season from Wellington Phoenix. He has played 38 matches in the ISL finding the back of the net 13 times in his outings. David has been an integral part of ATK when they won their third ISL trophy back in 2019 and had scored a goal in the semi-finals against Bengaluru FC. He scored 6 goals and provided 2 assists in 20 matches last season with injury constraints. The former Sydney FC attacker also featured in the recently concluded AFC tourney and added his name to the score sheet against Bashundhara kings.
CARL MCHUGH
Carl plyed his trade in Motherwell FC before coming to India in 2019. The ISL champion extended his stay at the club where he played 21 matches last season with 2 assists. the 28-year-old Irish defender has previously played for the English side Bradford City, Plymouth Argyle FC and League of Ireland Premier Division side Dundalk FC.
TIRI
Jose Luis Espinosa Arroyo commonly known as Tiri is not a new name for Indian football fans. He started his career with the Spanish side Cadiz and also represented Athletico Madrid’s B-team. Tiri came to India back in 2015 and represented ATK in the ISL 15 times in his initial season. The Spanish defender has also played for Jamshedpur FC in 2017. He joined the Mariners last season. The 30-year-old brings ample experience to the table as he has played a total of 93 matches in the ISL, scoring three goals. He will be staying at the club till 2023 as per the contract.
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