Bengaluru FC make their intentions clear with the signing of former ATK Mohun Bagan striker Roy Krishna

 

Bengaluru came up with one of the signings of the transfer window as they secured the services of former ATK Mohun Bagan striker Roy Krishna. The Fijian international will add a different dimension to the Blues as they hope that their search for a prolific striker ends here with this signing. The 34-year-old has penned a two year contract with the second year being an optional extension.

The Fijian who is also the national team captain has had splendid spells with ATK and ATK Mohun Bagan in the Indian Super League. He turned up for ATK Mohun Bagan last season and though it was not his best season in the ISL, he still scored some goals and was a leader to all the youngsters.

However new head coach Juan Ferrando wanted to try a different system and revealed that he does not have Krishna in his plans for next season. While the Fijian had several offers to return to Australia, he wanted to stay in India and therefore he joined Bengaluru FC after he was convinced by their new coach Simon Grayson.

“I’m really excited to join Bengaluru FC. I had conversations with the coach (Simon Grayson) when I was in the early stages of negotiations and he really convinced me that I would have an impact at the club. I’ve always admired the way Bengaluru played and organized itself over the years that I’ve played in India,” the 34-year-old shared.

Krishna has been a national icon in Fiji and an inspiration for a lot of young footballers from his country. He started out at Labasa back in Fiji before moving out to New Zealand, joining Waitakere United in 2008. He stayed at Waitakere for six season and scored tonnes of goals before finally joining Auckland City for a short stint. At Auckland he scored his first goal in a FIFA tournament as he netted against Raja Casablanca in the FIFA Club World Cup.

It was in 2014, he joined A-League outfit Wellington Phoenix and the signing turned out to be a major success for them as he was adjudged as the Player of the Year in 201-18 and 18-19 season. He netted 18 goals in the A-League and took the league by storm by winning the Golden Boot.

Looking at his form ATK decided to snap him up in 2019 and rest as they say is history.

In his three seasons in the ISL he has netted 36 goals and has provided 18 assists. He finished as the joint top scorer in the league twice with 15 goals in 2019-20 when ATK won the ISL trophy and 14 goals in the 2020-21 season where the Mariners reached the ISL final.

“Krishna is a big signing for the football club and one that I’m delighted we have made. Roy has proven over the years what a fantastic footballer and goalscorer he has been, and his experience and know-how of the Indian Super League will also prove to be a big plus for us. I am certain that the younger players on our team will be able to learn much from working with him and Sunil both on and off the pitch,” said a delighted Simon Grayson who is the new head coach of Bengaluru FC.

The Fijian striker becomes the sixth signing of the transfer window as the Blues have already snapped up players like Prabir Das, Hira Mondal, Faisal Ali, Amrit Gope and Spanish midfielder Javi Hernandez who has previously played with Krishna at ATKMB.