I-League: Top 5 Indian signings so far

The I-League summer transfer window hasn’t really come alive in terms of Indian signings as several players still haven’t made their mind up on whether to sign for an I-League club or join IMG Reliance’s IPL-style football project. Unless the clubs and IMG-R come to an agreement of allowing players to feature in both tournaments, this uncertainty will remain.

Some clubs like newly-promoted Rangdajied United and newly-entered JSW and Mumbai Tigers are yet to complete their squad so until the start of the 2013-14 I-League in September, we are sure to see a few more quality Indian recruitments with even the future of national team skipper Sunil Chhetri being undecided.

But many I-League teams have already made some notable Indian additions to their squad. Sportskeeda lists the top five Indian signings so far.

The list is not in any particular order

Wahid Sali (Mohun Bagan)

The Kerala-born defender’s rise in Indian football has been remarkable as until December 2012, he didn’t have any I-League experience. But after having a consistent spell with ONGC, Sali has been roped in by Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan. The 27-year-old had a short spell at Mumbai FC but spent most of his career playing for Kerala-based clubs like Josco, SBT and Universal Soccer School. He joined ONGC towards the end of 2012 and was instrumental in the club’s improvement in the second half of the season.

Sali is naturally a central defender but he can also operate as a right back and was among the best Indian defenders last season despite not playing the first two months of the campaign. Mohun Bagan have struggled defensively in recent seasons so the addition of the versatile Sali will be valuable and the defender will be eager to impress at his first big club.