FC Pune City snap striker Kalu Uche and winger Wesley Verhoek for ISL

Kalu Uche while playing for Espanyol

Pune:

The Rajesh Wadhawan Group and Hrithik Roshan co-owned Indian Super League club FC Pune City strengthened their attacking options signing former Bordeaux and Espanyol forward Kalu Uche and Feyenoord winger Wesley Verhoek for the 2015 edition of the league.

FC Pune City CEO Gaurav Modwel said, “Our squad is now full and we are very happy with all the signings that we have done. Both Kalu and Wesley have been playing top-flight football in La Liga and Eredivisie respectively and they will give us good options up front along with Adrian, Tuncay and Yendrick. Our offensive line is at its best now.”

Kalu began his professional career in Nigeria with Enyimba International FC. His first foray in European football was in the Polish league Ekstraklasa representing Wisla Krakow. In his stint with this top Polish club, he won three titles and the Polish Cup twice. He then represented French heavyweights Bordeaux on loan for 24 games.

From 2005 to 2011, Kalu went on to play for Spanish side Almeria. In his second year with the Andalusia club, he got the side their first promotion to La Liga. The former Bordeaux and Espanyol forward last played with Levante showing that age was just a number and he still has an eye for goal. He netted five times and assisted twice in 16 games for the club.

Kalu excited by new opportunity

Kalu was delighted joining FC Pune City. “Seeing some of the top footballers signed up with FC Pune City, I felt this would be a great opportunity as well a new challenge for me. I hope to share my experience with the Indian boys and help the team become champions,” said the Nigerian forward.

Along with Kalu, Pune have also signed Feyenoord winger Wesley Verhoek. Verhoek, known for his pace and blistering runs, spent a majority of his career with Dutch side ADO Den Haag. After spending eight years with Den Haag, Verhoek moved to Feyenoord in 2012.

Wesley said he was keen on taking up this new challenge of his career. “Playing in a new environment, in a new country altogether will be an exciting prospect. FC Pune City also has a great line up so sharing the locker room with some of the legends of the game will only add further value to my game,” said Wesley.

Head Coach, David Platt said, “Having had the chance to assess our strengths and weaknesses in pre season we were able to identify the characteristics and positions needed to finding out the squad. In both Wesley and Kalu, we have satisfied our requirements and have two very important players who will compliment what we already have. I can't wait until they are with us and we are complete.”

The additions of Kalu and Wesley show FC Pune City’s commitment to be strong contenders following the earlier deals of Adrian Mutu, Yendrick Ruiz, Tuncay Sanli, Didier Zokora, Steve Simonsen, James Bailey, Nicky Shorey and Diego Colloto. The duo will soon join the squad in Turkey where the team is currently training for their preseason.