Indian Super League side Atletico de Kolkata announced their marquee player as well as a host of retained players ahead of ISL 2016, on Friday. Former Portugal international Helder Postiga, who couldn't play much in the last ISL season, owing to injury, has returned as the star player of the side.
The inaugural ISL champions have also announced retaining midfielders Javi Lara and Borja Fernandez ahead of the third season.
Postiga, 34, a former Porto, Spurs, and Valencia forward, signed for Portuguese side Rio Ave FC following his one-match ISL 2015 stint. A two-time World-cupper, (including the FIFA World Cup 2014), who also made appearances in three European Championships (but not Euro 2016), appeared in just the opening game for Atletico de Kolkata (ATK) last season against Chennaiyin FC.
He scored a brace in the game before being stretchered off in the 70th minute of the match after falling awkwardly on the ground.
"On behalf of the team management, we welcome Postiga home to the Atletico de Kolkata family for the second time as our marquee player for the 2016 season of ISL. Postiga has been in electrifying form and fitness and his sheer ability to score goals made us go back to him and seal the deal," said the franchisee's co-owner Sanjiv Goenka in a statement.
"The red and white brigade fans felt sad at missing his on-field camaraderie with our Indian players and skills last season owing to his injury."
Meanwhile, ATK head coach Jose Molina also had words of praise for Lara and Borja, who remained impressive for the Kolkata side last season. "He [Postiga] has been playing good football of late and we hope he will be in his finest form once he is in India. Along with Postiga, the presence of Borja and Javi will add fervour to the midfield," said the Spanish coach.
