Nicolas Anelka, the controversial and well-travelled striker, on Monday became the latest ageing star to commit to the new Indian Super League, which debuts with eight teams next month. More on Anelka, 35, and four other prominent camptures by the nascent ISL clubs:
Nicolas Anelka, Mumbai City FC
A man who scored more than 160 goals for a dozen clubs and France is best-known of late for being sent home from the 2010 World Cup and for being dropped from West Bromwich Albion in an anti-Semitic row last year. He yesterday said that he is “very excited” to join the ISL.
Alessandro Del Piero, Delhi Dynamos FC
The midfielder, 39, a fixture at Juventus for two decades, won a Uefa Champions League medal and eight Serie A championships with the Turin club, as well as a World Cup with Italy. He spent two seasons with Sydney FC in the A-League before casting his lot with the Delhi club last month.
Luis Garcia, Atletico de Kolkata
The Spanish winger, 35, came out of retirement to become the league’s first “marquee” signing, in May. He has travelled widely in his career, including stops ranging from Barcelona to Liverpool, Athens, Mexico and now India with the Atletico Madrid associated Kolkata club. He won a Champions League medal with Liverpool.
David Trezeguet, FC Pune City
The French forward, 36, won a World Cup and European Championship with France and two Serie A championships with Juventus. He is remembered locally for his brief time at Baniyas, playing three matches in 2011, before returning to Argentina with River Plate.
Joan Capdevila, North East United FC
The Catalan left-back, 36, won a World Cup and European Championship with Spain. He spent most of his career at Deportivo La Coruna, Espanyol and Villarreal. He said: “India is a huge country and it should be a privilege to me to be a small part in popularising this global game here.”
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