Indian Super League side Kerala Blasters have made yet another statement signing ahead of ISL 2016. Just days after announcing the arrival of Euro 2016 star Aaron Hughes from Northern Ireland, the Kochi-based franchisee, co-owned by Sachin Tendulkar, announced the signing of former Arsenal goalkeeper Graham Stack on Thursday.
The 34-year-old English custodian, who made appearances for the Republic of Ireland U21 team in the past, joins the Indian Super League side as a player-cum-coach. Stack will be assisting new Kerala Blasters head coach Steve Coppell in the third season of the football league.
He joins the Indian football side after playing four seasons for English club Barnet and made 129 appearances, conceding just 151 goals. Stack has never played in the Premier League despite being a part of Arsenal since 1998 as a youth player to 2005.
Kerala Blasters have so far roped in three English goalkeepers since the inception of the ISL in 2015. While David James was roped in as the player-coach in the first season, Stephen Bywater was the custodian for Blasters in the second season.
There are only four English goalkeepers so far who have played or will play in the Indian Super League. Apart from Stack, James and Bywater, former Everton goalkeeper Steve Simonsen played in the ISL last season at FC Pune City.
Among the other foreign players, Kerala Blasters have announced retaining Antonio German and Josu ahead of ISL 2016.
