ISL 2018-19: Chennaiyin FC part ways with Inigo Calderon
Indian Super League (ISL) club Chennaiyin FC has parted ways with defender Inigo Calderon. The Spaniard has been with the club since the 2017 and has made 32 appearances for the club so far.
Calderon was part of the squad that won the ISL title last season. He was influential in helping the side beat Bengaluru FC in the final and notched up four goals during his stint in India.
The club announced his departure on social media with a farewell message from Calderon. The Spaniard posted a video and promised fans that he'll return to India soon to allow fans a chance to give him a send-off.
"As you can see, I am not anymore in Chennai, not anymore in India," Calderon said in the video. "I had to leave Chennai for personal reasons. And I just wanted to say thank you. It has been an amazing one season and a half for me. The Last year was obviously the best season. Everybody enjoyed a lot and we got the (ISL) championship.
"I enjoyed a lot, my experience. This year, as you know, has been a difficult season. We're not getting the points we like. But I think you realise that being there is important. When we're having a bad season like we're now, it's good to see the fans stick behind the club.
"The club is for the fans and without the fans, there's no club. So keep doing the same. You are amazing and you are the club. I will go back to Chennai to say goodbye in proper conditions because this is not the way to say bye - with a video. The situation is like that at the moment.
"I will go soon (to Chennai) hopefully. In my heart, I played for Chennaiyin FC and you fans keep enjoying."
Calderon's exit paves the way for Chennaiyin FC to sign a replacement before January 31. Chennaiyin FC are currently bottom of the table with just a win in 13 games. The defending champions are no longer in the contention for a spot in the playoffs but they are scheduled to play in the AFC Cup.
Chennaiyin FC can name only four foreigners in their AFC Cup squad and one of them has to be a player from Asia or Australia.
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