Bengaluru FC sign Australian midfielder Erik Paartalu
Bengaluru FC have added to their arsenal in
signing Australian midfielder Erik Paartalu on a season-long deal.
Bengaluru FC retained Sunil Chhetri and Udanta Singh
Bengaluru FC retained Sunil Chhetri and Udanta Singh
Sydney-born Paartalu began his career in the
National Soccer League, now the A-League, with Northern Spirit. His stints in
Australia included three seasons with Brisbane Roar when they played AFC
Champions League football. At Brisbane, Paartalu won two Championships and one
Premiership and played 85 consecutive matches while setting an Australian
record of any sporting code with an unbeaten streak of 36 games.
Paartalu moved to Chinese side Tianjin TEDA FC
in 2013 before a switch to Thailand with Muangthong United the following year.
He was also part of South Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai for a brief period in the
season that side went on to win the AFC Champions League.
The midfielder earned his first senior national
team cap in 2012, playing in a World Cup Qualifier for the ‘Socceroos’ against
Saudi Arabia.
FC Goa sign LaLiga winger Manuel Arana
FC Goa sign LaLiga winger Manuel Arana
“I was really excited by the Bengaluru FC
project because it is a club that's doing really well for itself in an
expanding market. Indian football is getting bigger and bigger. It felt like
the right project to get involved with. I spoke with Cameron Watson and he sold
it to me in terms of where the club is. They've been very successful in the
last four years and are looking to make major steps in the Indian Super
League,” said Paartalu.
Atletico de Kolkata signed former Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham as head coach
Atletico de Kolkata signed former Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham as head coach
He added “I've played in a lot of countries in
Asia so that experience is invaluable when it comes to playing games on
different continents with short turnarounds. Being 31, I've experienced
football for a long time and playing in the AFC Cup will definitely suit me. I
look forward to playing in the ISL and I know I can do well in the League with
a good team around me.”
Bengaluru FC coach Albert Roca said “A lot of
things change for us this season and experience is what will play a key role during
this phase. Erik brings that kind of experience with him and I’m certain he
will be a vital figure at Bengaluru FC,” said Roca.
FC Pune City made their first foreign signing with Emiliano Alfaro
FC Pune City made their first foreign signing with Emiliano Alfaro
