Krishna moves to India

Roy Krishna will play in India next year. The former Wellington Phoenix striker on Tuesday confirmed he has signed a one-year deal with Indian Super League club ATK, based in Kolkata.

Previous reports linking Krishna with a move to South Korea have proven incorrect.

Krishna, who was honoured with the Johnny Warren Medal as the A-League’s best player last season and also picked up the golden boot with 18 goals, decided last month to leave the Phoenix for a new challenge and greater financial security.

“I have taken my time to make what I feel is the right decision for me and my family,” said Krishna, who spent five-and-a-half seasons at the Wellington club. “ATK presents a great new opportunity for me in a new league.” The 32-year-old said he was impressed with what he had seen and heard about the club, its culture and fan base.

ATK were one of the foundation clubs of the Indian Super League, which was set up in 2014 and modelled on cricket’s Indian Premier League.

For the first three seasons, the club was known as Atletico de Kolkata, due to a partnership with La Liga club Atletico Madrid, but that association has ended. ATK, who have former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly among their owners, have won the ISL trophy twice.

Former Liverpool and Spanish midfielder Luis Garcia was their inaugural marquee player in the first season, and their roster has also included former Spurs and Ireland striker Robbie Keane.

Teddy Sheringham was coach at the start of the 2017-18 season.