The defending champions of the inaugural edition of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL), Atlético de Kolkata in their quest to defend their title announced today that the marquee player for the forthcoming season would be Hélder Postiga. A Portuguese international since 2003, Postiga represented the country in two World Cups and three European Championships, helping the national team reach the final at Euro 2004. Postiga last played for Spanish club Deportivo de La Coruña as a striker. Having significant experience in the European football circuit, Postiga besides representing his National Team Portugal, also played for clubs like Porto, Valencia, Lazio, Sporting Lisbon and Tottenham Hotspur beside others will be joining Atlético De Kolkata and will be seen charging towards the opponent’s goal as a key striker.
Sanjiv Goenka, Chairman RP- Sanjiv Goenka Group, Co-owner, Atlético de Kolkata – “On behalf of the team management, we welcome Postiga in the Atlético de Kolkata family as our marquee player for 2015 season of ISL. Postiga’s sheer ability to score goals as a striker made us take notice and seal the deal. It will be an altogether different sight to see him charge with the ball and we believe he will win over the fans of the red and white brigade”. We have finally selected our 26 players and look forward to an exhilarating season ahead. We would also like to thank ATM for their support in recruiting the International Players.”
Antonio López Habas, Head Coach, Atlético de Kolkata – ”The presence of Postiga will definitely bolster the team for the season ahead and also allow the Indian and International players to learn from him about the way he goes about preparing for a major tournament like ISL. He will have an altogether different experience when he plays in front of Kolkata’s football aficionados. I am sure Postiga’s presence will make the city and ATK fans proud.”
About Hélder Postiga
Hélder Manuel Marques Postiga, born on 2nd August 1982 is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Spanish club Deportivo de La Coruña as a striker.
After starting professionally at Porto, Postiga amassed Primeira Liga totals of 185 games and 49 goals over the course of ten seasons, with Porto and Sporting. He also played abroad, most notably in Spain.
A Portuguese international since 2003 (at the age of 21), Postiga represented the country in two World Cups and three European Championships, helping the national team reach the final at Euro 2004. Postiga made his debut for the Portuguese national team debut on 12 February 2003 in a friendly match with Italy, where he came on as a substitute for Tiago Mendes in the 70th minute – this game was also Luiz Felipe Scolari’s debut as Portugal manager. He was handed his first start on 10 June in a 4–0 win over Bolivia, where he scored his first two international goals.
After José Mourinho was hired as Porto manager, Postiga became a first-team regular. The then 20-year-old scored 19 times in 2002–03 playing alongside Derlei. Postiga was selected for UEFA Euro 2004. In the tournament he managed to save his team from defeat against England during the quarter-finals, netting an 83rd-minute 1–1 equaliser as Portugal would prevail in the penalty shootout 6–5 after a 2–2 draw.
Atlético de Kolkata is the winner of the first edition of Indian Super League. The franchise’s dedication and commitment towards a sustainable growth of football is on top of its agenda. Atlético de Kolkata leverages on the over 100-year experience of Atlético de Madrid’s sporting model of academies which enables them recognize and empower talent from the very grassroots. The franchise has Atlético de Madrid, Prince of Kolkata, Ex-captain, Indian cricket team, Mr. Sourav Ganguly; notable industrialists and luminaries Mr. Sanjiv Goenka, Chairman, RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group; Mr. Harshavardhan Neotia, Chairman of Ambuja Neotia Group and Mr. Utsav Parekh, Chairman, SMIFS Capital Markets Ltd as its co-owners.
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