Bangladesh national team midfielder Mamunul Islam claimed that Atletico de Kolkata, a franchise of the cash-rich Indian Super League, have offered him to play for the side in its inaugural edition of the tournament, scheduled to start from October 12.
The league will feature eight franchise teams – Atletico de Kolkata, Chennai Titans, Delhi Dynamos FC, FC Goa, FC Pune City, Kerala Blasters FC, Mumbai City FC and North East United FC.
Former Italy and Juventus great Alessandro Del Piero, former France and Juventus striker David Trezeguet, his compatriot Robert Pires, Spaniards Joan Capdevila and Luis Garcia and former Newcastle United striker Michael Chopra have confirmed their participation in the league.
The offer to join the illustrious group was stunning for Mamunul.
Mamunul said he had held talks with the franchise owner – Indian cricketer Saurav Ganguly – several times and as a result decided to join the franchise, co-owned by the current La Liga champions, Atletico Madrid.
‘I will be playing for Atletico de Kolkata in the Indian Super League this season,’ said Mamunul on Monday.
Mamunul’s claim, however, is contradictory to the Indian media reports, which already revealed the names of the foreign footballers linked with the tournament.
According to a report in ibnlive.in.com, Atletico de Kolkata international players are Borja Fernandez, Jofre Gonzalez, Jose Miguel, Arnal Llibert, Sylvain Monsoreau, Jakub Podany and Apoula Edel.
The ISL will include a total of 56 international players, of which 49 have already been picked through the international player draft on August 28.
Other seven have been picked by four teams under the provision of signing maximum two international players by the clubs on their own but Mamunul’s name was found not on the list.
‘A top official will arrive this week to finalise the three-month contract with me and my club [Sheikh Jamal] have also given me permission to play in the ISL,’ said Mamunul.
-With New Age input
