The fourth season of the Indian Super League doesn’t begin until November 17th, but the quasi-big-name signings are starting to create a real buzz here within The18 office.
Back in August, Atletico de Kolkata (ATK) announced that they’d come to terms former LA Galaxy striker Robbie Keane. The 37-year-old Irishman will take the pitch for his new club after a year off.
Not to be outdone, Kerala Blasters are reportedly on the verge of announcing the signing of former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov. The 36-year-old Bulgarian will take the pitch for his new club after a year off.
While signing players on the wrong end of 30 that haven’t played professionally for over a year isn’t a guaranteed recipe for success, there’s no doubting the quality of players like Keane and Berbatov.
Throwback to this skill by Dimitar Berbatov against today's opponents. #mufc [mu] pic.twitter.com/tJVOIeMIMT
— United Xtra (@utdxtra) August 13, 2017
In the case of Berbatov, we’re talking about a player that spent 18 years as a professional perfecting a languid, almost stationary style of play. That didn’t stop him from scoring nearly 300 goals, each one a unique embodiment of Berbatov’s artistic genius.
For Berbatov, it’s a nice little deal. According to sources, Berbatov will earn ₹7.5 crores for four months of play (the ISL only has 10 clubs). That’s roughly $1.2 million for a player whose last professional stint with Greek club PAOK ended acrimoniously.
But if Berbatov can provide us with just one vintage moment, it’ll all have been worth it.
Dimitar Berbatov has been linked with a return to football with Beroe in the Bulgarian league. Here's possibly the most nonchalant goal ever pic.twitter.com/c7FwZEpl3E
— The Pitchsider (@ThePitchsider) July 4, 2017
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