Mumbai: If things fall in place, Uruguayan superstar and Penarol striker Diego Forlan may be seen donning the Atletico de Kolkata jersey in the third edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) commencing in a couple of months’ time from now.
Atletico De Kolkata, co-owned by Spanish outfit Atletico de Madrid, displayed top class football in the last two editions of the league, winning the first title and a semi-final finish in the second. By the inclusion of Forlan, the Kolkata franchise will benefited hugely as the striker of his quality will bolster the squad even more. He scored 74 goals in 134 appearances during his stint with Athletico de Madrid during 2007 to 2011.
Interestingly, Forlan started his career with penarol in 1999 and he again signed for the Uruguayan club in 2015. But the latest contract is about to expire at the end of this season and so there shouldn’t be any hiccup in signing the 37-year-old as marquee player for the franchise co-owned by industrialist Sanjeev Goenka and former India skipper Sourav Ganguly apart from other stake holders.
However, if Forlan eventually inks the deal with Atletico de Kolkata, it would be the Uruguayan’s second visit to the city after having enthralled a 40,000-odd football crazy fans of India at the Salt Lake Stadium back in 2010. He has also played for English Premier League giant Manchester United and Italian champions Inter Milan during his illustrious career.
The Latin American footballer could have been signed by the Kolkata franchise in the second edition itself along with Brazilian playmaker Kaka, but Portuguese footballer Helder Postiga clinched the deal last time at the last hour.