Bangladesh national football team captain Mamunul Islam has inked a three-month loan deal with Atletico de Kolkata to represent the newly founded club in the inaugural season of the Indian Super League (ISL) scheduled to kick off on October 12.
The loan period will end on December 21, a day after the ISL’s scheduled final, and Mamunul is expected back to his Bangladesh Premier League club Sheikh Jamal DC accordingly.
The 25-year-old is expected to join Atletico de Kolkata later this month after the end of Incheon Asian Games, which begins on September 15, where the talisman attacking midfielder will represent the Bangladesh U-23 national football team.
The Kolkata based franchise club completed the signing of the midfielder through a dazzling ceremony in capital’s Uttara Club yesterday in the presence of Sheikh Jamal DC president Manjur Kader and representatives of Atletico de Kolkata.
Mamunul considered himself “lucky” and said it is a “dream come true”. He said, “I’m very happy today that it is now official. After Munna and Aslam bhai I’m going to play for an Indian club and the responsibility is also huge. If I can perform well there it would encourage the young generation of Bangladesh.”
“This is an important milestone in my career. I am really excited about joining Atletico de Kolkata, the team that will transgress boundaries and bring both sides of Bengal closer. My goal will be to play a real part in building something special in the football capital of India,” said Mamunul after inking the deal.
Mamunul, who led Sheikh Jamal to the IFA Shield final in Kolkata earlier this year, will share the dressing room with former Liverpool, Barcelona and Spanish international Luis Garcia and will be coached by former Bolivia coach Antonio Lopez Habas.
“I will spend three months with the best, experienced players and will play alongside them. It will help me improve my performance and I will definitely learn a lot both on and off the pitch,” said an excited Mamunul.
Anilava Chatterjee, an official of the club, said they chose Mamunul in the last moment as they “believe” he has got the potential and also hope he will shine.
Manjur Kader was also ecstatic during the occasion and said he didn’t hesitate for a second when Atletico de Kolkata wanted the service of his club captain.
Atletico de Kolkata is partly owned by former Indian cricket star Sourav Ganguly who welcomed Mamunul to the club saying, “I’m sure that both Bangladesh and Kolkata will be waiting to see him in action soon.”
The team is currently training at the Los Angeles de San Rafael training ground in Segovia, Spain and will return home 15 days before the tournament. Head coach Antonio hoped to get Mamunul match fit and said, “His national and club commitment surely must be keeping him match ready when we embark on our quest for the trophy. He is surely a hero in Bangladesh’s football arena and hopefully will soon be the toast of all Atletico de Kolkata fans in India.”