Bangladesh national football team captain Mamunul Islam completed his signing on Saturday for the cash-rich franchise of the Indian Super League, Atletico De Kolkata, on a three-month deal for its inaugural edition beginning from October 12. The Kolkata-based franchise, owned by former Indian cricket star Sourav Ganguly and co-owned by current La Liga champions Atletico Madrid, confirmed the services of the nation’s best midfielder with the aim to create their fan base in Bangladesh.
The deal will end on December 21, a day after the conclusion of the ISL.
Mamunul, who will lead Bangladesh Under-23 team for the Asian Games in Incheon starting from September 19, is expected to join Atletico after the end of the Asiad campaign.
‘This is an important milestone in my career. I am really excited to join Atletico De Kolkata. Because I think, it will bring both Bangladesh and West Bengal closer.’ said Mamunul after completing the signing.
‘My goal will be to make some important contribution to the team’ said Mamunul.
Mamunul will be the third player from Bangladesh to play in any kind of Indian football League. Before him, the likes of local legends Monem Munna and Sheikh Mohammed Aslam played there. So, he was excited to be in the same bracket with them.
‘After Munna [Monem] and Aslam [Sheikh Mohammad] bhai, I’m going to play for an Indian club so the responsibility is huge. If I can perform well, it will also encourage the young generation of Bangladesh footballers,’ said Mamunul.
Mamunul is going to get a golden opportunity to share the same dressing room with former Liverpool and Barcelona winger and Spanish international Luis Garcia and he will be coached by former Bolivia coach Antonio Lopez Habas.
‘To share the dressing room with many experienced players will help me to improve my game and I will definitely learn a lot from both on and off the field,’ said the Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club captain.
The signing ceremony was jointly arranged by Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club and Atletico De Kolkata.
Sheikh Jamal president Manjur Kader hoped that Mamunul will show that the Bangladesh footballers are worth of playing in the ISL.
‘This is a brilliant opportunity for Mamunul and as he will play for Atletico, the Bangladesh football fans are expected to support the Kolkata-based team in the ISL,’ said Kader.
Meanwhile, the officials of the Atletico De Kolkata confirmed that maximum six foreign players will be eligible to play in the starting XI and the decision of Mamunul’s inclusion was taken at the last moment.
‘We believe he has got the potential, so we signed him. I hope he will shine in the ISL,’ said Anilava Chatterjee, an official of the club.
Saurav Ganguly has also welcomed Mamunul’s signing in a statement read out by the Kolkata official during the signing ceremony.
‘He has already shown his latent during the IFA Shield. I’m sure that both Bangladesh and Kolkata will be waiting to see him in action soon,’ said India’s one of the most successful cricket team captain.
Head coach Habas also hoped that Mamunul will make the Atletico fans happy in the upcoming tournament.
‘He [Mamunul] is surely a hero in Bangladesh’s football arena and hopefully will soon be the toast of all Atletico de Kolkata fans in India,’ said Habas in a written statement.
-With New Age input
