Defending champions Atletico de Kolkata - which is now trying itself as ATK - acquired a number of high profile stars in the Indian Super League (ISL) domestic draft on Sunday, where Ashley Westwood - their new football director - left a distinct mark on the proceedings.
The Manchester United youth graduate, who had won the I-League twice in his three years at the helm of Bengaluru FC, roped in a number of his former pupils to overhaul the core of the Red and Whites for the upcoming season.
ALSO READ: FULL LIST OF PLAYERS SIGNED BY FRANCHISES
India internationals Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Robin Singh were signed for 1.1 crores and 65 lakhs respectively while former Bengaluru FC players Shankar Sampingiraj and Keegan Pereira also found suitors in the franchise co-owned by Sourav Ganguly.
While many other teams tried to sign local stars, the Kolkata based team didn't sign a single Bengali player in the draft, after retaining Debjit Majumder and Prabir Das.
Goal
Aizawl FC's I-League winning duo Jayesh Rane and Ashutosh Mehta, who were also persued by both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, will be shifting to Kolkata, but to don the colours of the ISL franchise. Youngsters Hitesh Sharma and Rupert Nongrum have also been signed while experienced central defenders Anwar Ali and Augustin Fernandes will be spending another season in the Maidan.
ALSO READ: Atletico de Kolkata to become ATK
The outfit had a Spanish gaffer in the first three seasons, but due to their association with Atletico Madrid coming to a bitter end this summer, have now recruited former Manchester United great Teddy Sheringham as their head coach, while Ashley will leverage his knowledge of Indian football to help his colleague.
