ISL 2017: 4 former East Bengal and Mohun Bagan players who will play for ATK

The Indian Super League (ISL) draft for the Indian players, which took place a couple of days back, saw as many as 134 players being picked up by the ten clubs. While some went back to familiar surroundings, the majority found new clubs whilst a few went undrafted.

Among the ten club who fought for the players in the draft, Kolkata-based franchise ATK did well to put together a pretty competitive squad. The fans in Kolkata definitely can hope that the club can reach the semi-finals yet again (if not replicate last season’s performance).

However, since it is Kolkata, the allegiance of the fans is always divided between the three clubs, ATK, and I-League clubs, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan.

Here we take a look at former East Bengal and/or Mohun Bagan players who were signed by ATK for the upcoming season.

#4 Debjit Majumder

Debjit Majumder was retained by ATK

Shot-stopper Debjit Majumder was one of the two players retained by ATK before the start of the draft. It was a very good decision, after all, Indian goalkeepers were in demand among the ISL clubs. Moreover, as he has shown on numerous times in the past, Debjit is pretty reliable in between the sticks.

Having started off his career with Food Corporation of India (FCI) in the Calcutta Football League (CFL), Debjit quickly caught the eye of the scouts during his stints with United Sikkim and Kalighat MS. He joined East Bengal for the 2011–12 season but would make only four appearances for the Red and Golds.

His best, though, came during his stint with Mohun Bagan. Debjit even won the Best Goalkeeper of I-League award in 2015 and 2017 as he helped Bagan win two Federation Cups and an I-League title in the last four years. He also helped ATK lift their second ISL trophy last season with his heroics in the penalty shootout against Kerala.

#3 Prabir Das

Prabir Das was retained as well

Apart from Debjit, the other Indian player who was retained by ATK for the upcoming season was defender Prabir Das. The 23-year-old first caught the eye when he turned out for Pailan Arrows in the 2012 Federation Cup and the I-League.

He was then loaned to Dempo for one season before being signed on by Mohun Bagan in June 2015. Known as a utility player who can play in a number of positions, Prabir impressed one and all with his performances at Bagan. In 24 I-League matches that he played for Bagan since joining, Prabir has scored 2 goals.

In the inaugural season of the ISL, Prabir was signed by FC Goa where he featured in just one match. He then played for Delhi Dynamos for one season before joining ATK and playing an integral role in Jose Molina's title-winning team.

#2 Anwar Ali

Anwar Ali starred at the back for Mumbai last season

Anwar Ali was picked up by ATK during the latter stages of the draft for the Indian footballers on Sunday. The 32-year-old centre back is an experienced campaigner who offers solidity and balance in the heart of defence of the team.

He started off his career at JCT but has since moved around the country. He played for Dempo in 2009-10 where he won his first I-League trophy. Ali enjoyed two stints with Mohun Bagan, winning one more I-League trophy during the second stint with the club in 2014-15. The defender played for East Bengal in last season’s I-League but made only five appearances for the club.

In the ISL, Ali has featured for the Delhi Dynamos and Mumbai City. His experience will be a huge plus for ATK, who will be looking to win the ISL trophy for the third time.

#1 Robin Singh

Robin Singh spent last season with FC GoaRobin Singh is well renowned for his goal-scoring abilities in the Indian football circuit and ATK needed someone like him to bolster their attack. Having worked with ATK’s technical director Ashley Westwood before during his stint with Bengaluru FC, the 27-year-old will be in a familiar setup where he can thrive.

The striker started off as a winger in his early years and it was only at the Tata Football Academy (TFA) that his position was changed for the first time. After impressing for TFA, he was signed on by East Bengal, for whom he played for three seasons, scoring 10 I-League goals in 42 appearances.

He then joined Bengaluru FC before returning to East Bengal last season. In his second stint at the Kolkata club, he went on to score five goals from 14 matches and was much more influential in the matches.

Previously, in the ISL, he has turned out for the Delhi Dynamos and FC Goa.