Mumbai, July 10 (IANS) India national football team captain Sunil Chhetri was bagged by Mumbai City FC for a massive Rs.1.20 crore at the 2015 Indian Super League (ISL) players auction here on Friday.
Four-time All India Football Federation (AIFF) player of the year, Chhetri had the highest base price in the auction at Rs.80 lakh. The second edition of the ISL is scheduled to start on October 3.
The prolific forward has made 87 international appearances and scored 50 goals for India.
Chhetri plays for Bengaluru FC in the I-League and helped the club to the title in 2014, becoming the joint top scorer in the league that year. Chhetri didn’t play in the the first edition of ISL after his club refused to release him for the tournament.
Speaking after being selected in ISL, Chhetri said: “I am really excited to be a part of ISL this season.”
The auction of 10 footballers, which is ongoing here on Friday, has been divided into two phases, Pool A and Pool B, with five players in each group. Chhetri was the star action of Pool A of the auction.
Chhetri, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Anas Edathodika, Thoi Singh and Jackichand Singh comprise Pool A.
Midfielder Eugeneson Lyngdoh, who had a base price of Rs.27.5 lakh, was bought by FC Pune City for a whooping Rs.1.05 crore. In 62 I-League appearances, he has scored eight goals. The 28-year-old played also played for Bengaluru FC in the I-League last season.
Defender Anas Edathodika, 28, was bought by Delhi Dynamos for Rs.41 lakh. He featured for Pune FC in I-League last year. He has made 53 appearances for his club so far and has a base price of Rs.40 lakh.
Bengaluru FC’s midfielder Thoi Singh, with a base price of Rs.39 lakh, was bought by Chennaiyin FC for Rs.86 lakh. The 24-year-old has scored eight goals in 37 I-League appearances.
I-League club Royal Wahingdoh’s medio Jackichand Singh was lapped up by FC Pune City for Rs.45 lakh. The 23-year-old had a base price of Rs.20 lakh. The midfielder has five goals to his name in 18 I-league appearances.