FC Pune City might be playing their waiting game to announce their marquee signing for the Indian Super League 2.0, but it seems that the revelation has already been made by the player himself.
Former Spurs midfielder Didier Zokora is joining the Pune-based ISL side this season and he is also reportedly the marquee player of the side.
The most-capped Ivory Coast player of all time took to social media to reveal the big news.
The 34-year-old is regarded as one of the more decorated defensive midfielders of his time, as he won the League Cup with Spurs and also the Copa del Rey with Spanish side Sevilla. He was also one of the key players for Belgian side Genk between 2000 and 2004.
Zokora had been reported as saying that at one point, heavyweights of Europe chased his prized signature, before the player finally zeroed in on a move to Premier League side Spurs in 2006.
"During my last season at Saint-Etienne, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Chelsea wanted me," he was quoted by French daily L'Equipe as saying.
On the international front, Zokora has 123 appearances for Les Elephants. He was a part of the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cup campaigns for his nation, and was also included in the 23-member squad for Ivory Coast in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
He retired from the national side in September last year, before going on to join Turkish side Akhisarspor.
Twitter reactions on the announcement:
Mancunian Punekar wrote: "@dzokora5 Welcome to Pune.. Orange army is eagerly waiting to see you in action and sing chants for you!"
Ahmet Suat posted, "@dzokora5 congrutulation Maestro .good luck and best wishes for you".
Meanwhile, the Pune-based ISL side are expected to wait until Thursday to reveal Zokora's signing as their marquee player. They are likely to announce the signing at a gala event at the JW Marriott Hotel in Pune.