Atlético de Kolkata signs the Portuguese football icon Hélder Postiga as its marquee player

  

he defending champions of the inaugural edition of Indian Super League, 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.

Mr. 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.”

Mr. Antonio Lopez 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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Rehenesh: The fans are our biggest strength!

The year 2014 has been kind on 22-year-old goalkeeper Rehenesh TP. It has also been a year of many ‘firsts’ for him. Rehenesh had a successful beginning with Shillong Lajong FC in the Hero I-League and then was sensational for NorthEast United FC in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL). In fact, former national goalkeeping coach Brahmanand Sankhwalkar, too, went on record to praise his efforts in ISL 2014.

Last season, his tally boasted of an incredible 17 saves out of 21 shots fired in his direction. In an exclusive interview with www.indiansuperleague.com, Rehenesh T.P. poured his heart out on playing for the John Abraham-owned ISL side, “It feels great! I am very happy to be with the team for the upcoming season. Looking forward to a good campaign.”

Rehenesh was the star performer for the Highlanders in between the sticks last campaign and he also expressed his enthusiasm about the club’s new marquee signing - a certain Portuguese wing wizard, “I’m excited about Simão [Sabrosa]! It would be an amazing experience playing alongside such a world-class player. [Joan] Capdevila will pass the baton on to him this season. He is a great human being.”

Not only do the club have a new marquee player, but a new head coach at the helm. “César Farías is only 42 and a ‘new generation’ coach. I think it will be a good experience to work under him.” Rehenesh remarked as he looked forward to the 2015 ISL journey with the Venezuelan.

He would prefer to be called a ‘sweeper-keeper of sorts’, often acting as the second line of defense. But he owes all of this to the adulation that comes from the home crowd, “They’re our biggest strength. Irrespective of us winning or losing, they’re always with us. At times, it gets overwhelming – they would also end up interacting with us via text messages!”

NorthEast United finished their inaugural ISL campaign rock bottom but their fans sang vociferously right until the very end. Rehenesh wants to repay them for their unbridled support on the field, “We hope to perform better for them this season.”

Rehenesh also expressed positivity about hitting the top 4 this time, “Last year, we lacked experience. We started off well but our form dropped. This year, we want to stay on top.”

Optimism is at an all-time high in the NorthEast United FC camp and they kick-off their 2015 season against last year’s finalists Kerala Blasters FC. The match will be played on 6th October, 7pm IST.