Bengaluru connect makes a difference

It was a good outing for ATK at the 2017 Indian Super League (ISL) draft in Mumbai as the two-time winners signed some big names for the next season.

The Kolkata team entered the draft in the third round and their first pick was experienced midfielder Eugeneson Lyngdoh for a massive ~ 1.1 crore. Thanks to this buy, the former Bengaluru FC player became the costliest signing of the draft along with defender Anas Edathodika, who joined new entrants Jamshedpur FC.

ATK also signed striker Robin Singh and youngster Shankar Sampingiraj, who both have played for Bengaluru FC. Former BFC coach Ashley Westwood is currently technical director of ATK and his familiarity with the players will be a big advantage for the Kolkata team in the upcoming season.

Asked about his reunion with former coach Ashley Westwood, Sampingiraj told HT, “I never wanted Ashley to leave Bengaluru FC and it’s great I’ll able to train with him again. I always loved the training sessions under him, and hopefully it’s gonna be the same again.”

The other big signing for ATK was 24-year-old winger Jayesh Rane, who recently won the I-League title with Aizawl FC. The Mumbai-based footballer was part of Chennaiyin FC in the first three seasons of ISL and his recent performances made him the second draft pick for ATK on Sunday.

“It’s a great move for me! This is a new team for me and I am ready for the new challenges that will come with it. Can’t wait to start training with my new teammates,” Rane told Hindustan Times.

ATK, who are the defending champions, retained goalkeeper Debjit Majumder and right back Prabir Das before the start of the ISL Player Draft. They made 13 more signings (including two U-21 players) on Sunday and technical manager Ashley Westwood was quite delighted with his team’s efforts.

“We wanted to sign good players and we are extremely happy with the business we have done. Eugeneson (Lyngdoh) and Jayesh (Rane) were our main targets and we are delighted both will be part of ATK next season,” Westwood told a press conference in Mumbai.