Kolkata: After having enjoyed ISL success with the defending champions Atletico De Kolkata last year, star forward Iain Hume is all set for return to his former ISL club, the two-time finalists Kerala Blasters on Monday as confirmed by the club.
The Sachin Tendulkar co-owned franchise took to Twitter to announce the big signing.
“Hume is Home!!!! #KBFC #NammudeSwantham #YellowMeinKhelo“, tweeted the Blasters.
Hume has been one of the most prolific goal-scorers in the ISL in it’s year history and also leads the all-time highest goal scorers list with 23 goals.
He had played for the Blasters in the inaugural edition of the ISL when former English goalkeeper David James was the player-cum-manager of the team. In 2015, he signed for Atletico De Kolkata and played a crucial role in taking them to the semi-finals where they lost to eventual champions Chennaiyin FC. He remained with the Sourav Ganguly co-owned side in 2016 and under took the team to it’s second ISL title in three years.
At the ISL draft yesterday, the Kerala Blasters had a relatively quiet outing but within a day, they have managed to come up with this big signing.
The Canadian striker was present at the draft in Mumbai along with his agent Baljit Rihal. The Blasters were in talks with Hume on the sidelines of the draft and it is there that he reportedly agreed to play for them in the upcoming edition of the tournament.
Kerala Blasters roped in Jackichand Singh, Arata Izumi and local boy Rino Anto at the draft yesterday. However, with Hume in their squad, he would form a good attacking combination with CK Vineeth and Jackichand that would boost their chances of a solid show in the tournament under their new coach Rene Meulensteen.
This would be a big loss for the defending champions, for whom Hume was an integral part of the side. But with an attacking coach like Teddy Sheringham and with the experience of Ashley Westwood, they would undoubtedly put up a solid title defense next season.