Greece's WC 2014 captain Kostas Katsouranis joins Pune City

Rajesh Wadhawan Group-owned FC Pune City of the Hero Indian Super League has attracted another high-profile player - Kostas Katsouranis from Greece. The former Benfica midfielder very recently led the Greek football team in their campaign at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. With this move Kostas also becomes the first player who has participated in this year’s FIFA World Cup to feature in the ISL.

Head Coach Franco Colomba has added the talented midfielder to his squad before the start of the inaugural ISL season on 12th October, to further strengthen the team’s lineup.

“Our team needed a strong playmaker who could play box-to-box. It was one position which we wanted to fill and now with the inclusion of Kostas in the team, we are surely a more balanced unit”, said Colomba.

Katsouranis comes with a reputation of being a rock-solid midfielder who can also play in defence, and has years of experience playing for top-level clubs like AEK Athens and Benfica. He made his international debut for Greece in 2003 against Sweden and scored his first goal against Kazakhstan in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier. He was also instrumental to Greece's Euro 2004 triumph.

Speaking on the club's new signing, Mr. Gaurav Modwel, CEO, FC Pune City said, “We are delighted to have Kostas in our ranks and I would like to extend my heartiest welcome to him. He has been a phenomenal performer for his country and previous clubs; and we at FC Pune City are confident that his inclusion will be a game-changer for us in the Indian Super league.”

Katsouranis expressed his happiness on joining the Pune outfit, and said, “It is not an impulsive decision for me, I had been in touch with Pune City for over a month. What really attracted me to join them was their desire to win and promote football in India.”

The Greek midfielder will join the likes of former Juventus star David Trezeguet at FC Pune City, and will certainly add a lot of strength and solidity to their midfield.