The Indian Super League (ISL) season 2 is close at hand and it promises to be bigger and better than the inaugural edition. 10 I-League players were up for grabs at the auction held in Mumbai on July 10, and here is a lowdown on who signed who:
1. Sunil Chhetri
The India skipper might be 30 years old but if there is anyone in the country who can get you a goal, he’s your man. No wonder Mumbai splurged Rs 1.2 crores for his signature. Club owner Ranbir Kapoor was visibly pleased with the signing: ” We never expected to get Sunil for this price. We are a bit shocked and surprised.”
2. Robin Singh
Chhetr’s strike partner for India was also in great demand. Delhi Dynamos snapped up the lanky forward for Rs 51 lakhs and the 25-year-old gets his wish of playing under new Delhi coach Roberto Carlos.
3. Jackichand Singh
The 23-year-old was crowned the Player of the Season in his debut I-League season. Little wonder then that FC Pune City, Mumbai City FC and FC Goa were all haggling for the winger. Pune finally won the bidding war for Rs 45 lakhs.
4. Arazta Izumi
The Japan-born midfielder of Indian origin is 32 years old but his technical ability meant that a lot of clubs wanted him in their roster. After seeing off bids from NorthEast United, defending champions Atletico de Kolkata snapped him up for Rs 68 lakhs.
5. Eugeneson Lyngdoh
The Bengaluru FC midfielder scored 9 goals and set up a further 16 for his teammates en route the 2015 I-League Midfielder of the Year award. Despite a base price of just Rs 27.5 lakhs, he was finally snapped up by FC Pune City for Rs 1.05 crores. This is a massive signing for Pune!
6. Thoi Singh
The 24-year-old Bengaluru FC midfielder was in great demand but Chennaiyin FC got their man for Rs 86 lakhs.
7. Anas Edathodika
The Pune FC captain was signed by Delhi Dynamos for Rs 41 lakhs, after seeing off stiff competition from Kolkata.
8. Karanjit Singh
With most teams already having a good first-choice keeper, there was not much interest in the Salgaocar shot stopper. But Chennaiyin FC snapped up the 29-year-old for Rs 60 lakhs.
9. Rino Anto
The versatile Bengaluru FC full back can play on both flanks so it came as no surprise that despite starting at a base price of Rs 17.5 lakhs, he was finally signed by Atletico de Kolkata for a whopping Rs 90 lakhs.
10. Seityasen Singh
The Royal Wahingdoh winger impressed in the I-League last season and has even been called up to the Indian team. Kerala Blasters were keen to sign him up but he joined NorthEast United for Rs 56 lakhs.
