ISL transfer update: ATK aiming for former Arsenal Defender, Hengbert returns to Blasters, while Mumbai City signs Forlan as Marquee player.

by Chittu Shetty August 16, 2016

Athletico de Kolkata is looking to get former Arsenal and Galatasaray defender Emmaneul Eboue onboard. The Ivory Coast Defender has been serving a one year FIFA ban since March for failing to pay his former agent and has been released by Sunderland for whom he had last signed couple of weeks before the ban. Since ISL isn’t recognized by FIFA, he would be eligible to play in the league. The 33-year old defender has an impressive resume, having spent 7 years with Arsenal and then 3 more years with Turkish side Galatasaray. With more than 200 premiere league appearance and another 100 with Turkish side, eboue would be a big addition to the Atheletico defence.

ATK coach, Jose Molina has shown his interest stating, “Emmanuel Eboue is a great player who was Arsenal’s utility man. He is someone who can bring us a lot. We hope to reach an agreement with him.” Having played 79 matches for his national team along with 2010 FIFA world cup appearance, eboue may have to be the defensive captain of the side, which already has Indian defenders Keegan Pereira, Arnab Mondal, Pabir Das, Pritam Kotal and others in their side has they look to replicate their inaugural success.

Cedric Hengbert, who played for NorthEast United FC last time, has signed back with KBFC for the third season of ISL. After having guided the kerala side to the finals of the Inaugural season, Hengbert moved to NUFC. Overall the French defender has played about 25 games in the ISL, and will be the eight foreign addition of KBFC.

Meanwhile, Uruguayan legend Diego Forlan has signed for Mumbai city FC has a Marquee Player for ISL 3. Having plyed his trade at Manchester United, Villareal CF and Athletic de Madrid, Forlan was most recently playing for his boyhood club Penarol guiding them to Apertura title. The 2010 FIFA World Cup golden Boot winner and two time European golden shoe winner confirmed this news on twitter. Being chased by Australian side Brisbane roar too, Mumbai City moved quick and secured the forward’s signature for the upcoming league. After failing to reach till semis in the last two season, Mumbai city FC has left no stone unturned in improving the squad with the infusion of mostly South American players from Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. On the Indian front, Signing of Jackichand Singh, former I league player of the year, clearly shows their intent and that they would be a force to reckon with this season.