Pune: Pune based Indian Super League (ISL) team FC Pune City drafted a number of players at the Indian players’ draft for the fourth season of the tournament.
The key signings made by Pune side included young striker Kean Lewis, defenders Wayne Vaz, Lalchhuanmawaia Fanai, midfielders Adil Khan, Baljit Singh and Jewel Raja among others.
Lewis, who scored 4 goals in 11 appearances with Delhi Dynamos last season was picked in Round 2. Adil Khan, a strong centre-back played for Churchill Bros. last season besides having played for Dempo, Mohun Bagan and Sporting Club De Goa in his 14 years of playing career. Baljit Singh Sahni will join forces with Jewel Raja in the midfield. Baljit represented Chennaiyin FC last season while Jewel Raja was with Atletico De Kolkata.
Team CEO Gaurav Modwel who was present at the draft alongside head coach Antonio Habas was a satisfied man. “The players we have picked are not big name we are aiming to create a core team which will be ours for next couple of years,” he said.
“Young players are hungry and eager to learn new things, I believe they will be a turning point for the team. We will focus on developing the young and develop them,” Habas, Head Coach of FC Pune City expressed.
FC Pune City earlier had retained young goalkeeper Vishal Kaith and inducted their Academy’s bright forward Ashique Kuruniyan from last season.
Drafted players
- Goalkeeper: Kamaljit Singh
Defenders: Harpreet Singh, Nim Dorjee Tamang, Lalchhuanma Wia Fanai, Gurtej Singh, Wayne Vaz, Pawan Kumar
- Midfielders: Ajay Singh, Rohit Kumar, Jewel Raja, Baljit Singh, Adil Ahmed Khan, Isaac V Chhakchuak
Forward: Kean Lewis
- Retained: Vishal Kaith (Goalkeeper), Ashique Kuruniyan (Forward)
- Foreign player: Emiliano Alfaro