3 ISL Transfers You Might Have Missed Today: Krishna to Bengaluru and more…
Every club is occupied with completing their squads with star additions as the Durand Cup and the 2022-23 Indian Super League season looms over the heads and the shoulders of the head coaches set to lead their respective teams in an intense battle.
ATK Mohun Bagan and Odisha have been very busy in the transfer market while Bengaluru has also made several additions alongside Mumbai City who have been securing their top targets in midfield and attack. Let’s check out the three signings made by the clubs on Monday-
#3 Ivan Kaliuzhnyi to Kerala Blasters
Kerala Blasters add a foreign midfielder to the squad
Ukrainian midfielder Ivan Kaliuzhnyi has completed a loan move from Oleksandriya to join 2021-22 ISL runners-up Kerala Blasters.
After coming through the Dynamo Kyiv academy, the youngster went on a couple of loan spells before signing for Oleksandriya who also briefly loaned him out to Icelandic first division side Keflavik where he helped the team avoid relegation by just a solitary point.
The 24-year old midfielder is delighted to join the club and vowed to give his best for the fans ahead of the upcoming ISL season.
“I am excited to join the biggest club in India and very much looking forward to my new challenge. I am beyond excited to meet the famous yellow army and give my all for them and the club.”
Blasters’ Sporting Director Karolis Skinkys welcomed the young midfielder to the club and hoped that he would be able to adapt to the Indian conditions quickly to allow him to shine in the ISL.
He said,
“I would like to congratulate Ivan for joining our club and express my big happiness that we finally were able to bring him to Kerala. This quality player will be a good reinforcement for our team. I hope Ivan will adapt quickly and showcase all the qualities we know he possesses to excel here.”
#2 Dimitrios Petratos to ATK Mohun Bagan
ATK Mohun Bagan head coach Juan Ferrando is making wholesale changes to the Mariners’ squad and the philosophy of the club which has moved from having two potent strikers in Roy Krishna and David Williams to having no recognised No.9 in the squad.
With attacking midfielders like Hugo Boumous and Joni Kauko already in the squad, the Spaniard has decided to add a proper ‘False 9’ to his team with Australian attacking midfielder Dimitrios Petratos joining the Mariners.
After spending multiple seasons in his homeland with Sydney and Brisbane Roar, the Australian signed for Ulsan Hyundai followed by a return down under with Newcastle Jets. His latest foreign assignment was with Al-Wehda and now the attacker is set to adapt to the Indian shores.
Also read: 5 Biggest fixtures for Bayern Munich in the 2022-23 Bundesliga season
Ferrando praised the attacking mentality and the skills of their new foreign recruit who will have the big boots of Krishna and Williams to play in the upcoming ISL season.
The Spaniard said,
“Dimitrios is a team player with a good attacking mentality. He can help us find free spaces, key passes, and can be useful in front of goal.”
The 29-year old has penned a two-year deal with the Gaurs and also talked about how he had offers from other clubs but he chose Goa to win trophies in the upcoming footballing season.
He said,
“I am very excited to join the club and I am very excited to play in front of the fans. I am going to do the best this year to help my team achieve success, hopefully in all the competitions.”
#1 Roy Krishna to Bengaluru
Roy Krishna in his previous stint with ATK Mohun Bagan
Two-time ISL top-scorer and former ATK Mohun Bagan striker Roy Krishna has joined Bengaluru ahead of the 2022-23 ISL season. The Fijian has put pen to paper for a 2-year deal that lasts till the end of the 2023-24 ISL season.
After starting his professional football career in Fiji, Krishna has since then represented clubs from New Zealand and India with his five-year stay with Wellington Phenoix allowing Krishna to become a household name in football families across the world.
With the rich experience of plying his trade in the ISL for multiple seasons, the 34-year old would settle in the squad quickly and would have the support of players like skipper Sunil Chhetri, Danish Farooq, Udanta Singh, and others in taking the mantle of scoring goals.
The Fijian will be joining his former teammates Javi Hernandez and Prabir Das in the Blues camp as the club has now laid down a statement of serious intent by signing players who can take them to the top once again.
Krishna said,
“I’m really excited to join Bengaluru. I had conversations with the coach (Simon Grayson) when I was in the early stages of negotiations and he really convinced me that I would have an impact at the club. I’ve always admired the way Bengaluru played and organized itself over the years that I’ve played in India.”
The striker was an important piece of the jigsaw as per the Blues head coach Simon Grayson and will help the team both on and off the pitch ahead of a crucial ISL season.
He said,
“Krishna is a big signing for the football club and one that I’m delighted we have made. Roy has proven over the years what a fantastic footballer and goalscorer he has been, and his experience and know-how of the Indian Super League will also prove to be a big plus for us. I am certain that the younger players on our team will be able to learn much from working with him and Sunil both on and off the pitch.”
Club director Parth Jindal talked about how Bengaluru had to stave off interest from other teams and land the Fijian’s signature which was crucial for the club as they aim to win the ISL once again.
He said,
“We wanted to bring Roy to Bengaluru the moment we knew he was available. There were a host of clubs within the league and outside who were in the running to sign him, and I am delighted that we were able to get this over the line.”
“We want to bring BFC back to where it belongs, and this signing is as big a statement of intent as can be. Roy’s work ethic, eye for goal and records are phenomenal, and we’re all excited to see how he teams up with Sunil and the rest of the squad. I’m certain that our fans feel the same way; they were excited when the rumours linking Roy to BFC started floating, and I’m happy to tell them that we’ve got our man.”