Former Chelsea and Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen has signed for FC Pune City as their marquee player for the third edition of the Indian Super League (ISL).
Gudjohnsen is Iceland’s most capped player with a total of 88 caps and has won the Premier League twice with Chelsea, as well as the La Liga and Champions League with Barcelona. Gudjohnsen, 37, takes the place of Adrian Mutu who was Pune’s marquee player last season.
On signing for the ISL team, he stated on Goal.com,”There were other clubs interested in me but when FC Pune City show their interest, intent and plans, I knew this was it. I have the confidence of the coach and will ensure that they find it difficult to leave me out. Everyone needs to be motivated to succeed, and I have the same aim here. I love the sport. I still love going to training every day.”
Gudjohnsen, who has played for over 15 clubs across Europe has experience playing under the likes of Claudio Ranieri, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola, is certainly a great addition to the team that finished 7th last season.
After thrashing Bhutan 3-0 a fortnight ago, India take on CONCACAF nation Puerto Rico at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai.
This is also the first time a team from the CONCACAF region will officially play on Indian soil and the first official international to be held in Mumbai since 1965. Stephen Constantine has also named a 30-man squad for this friendly against Puerto Rico. The practice sessions will begin on Monday and the players are to report to the camp by 28th of August.
Puerto Rico, an American colony, has a population of just over 3 million, but has a lot of quality players playing in quality leagues all over the world. S
peaking of the significance of the tie, Constantine said on Goal.com,”It’s a hugely important match for the people in Maharashtra that international football is back in Mumbai after a long gap. Mumbai, as vibrant as ever, has been known for its football culture and I hope the Indian fans will be turning up to support and cheer from the stands. It’s important that we have a good crowd”.
