ISL 2018: Delhi Dynamos rope in experienced Indian midfielder and a Dutch defender
What's the story?
Indian Super League (ISL) side Delhi Dynamos FC announced on Friday that they have roped in experienced Indian midfielder Pradeep Mohanraj and Dutch defender Gianni Zuiverloon, thus completing the foreign quota for the upcoming season.
In case you didn't know...
Delhi Dynamos, earlier on Friday, announced they were roping in former AC Milan striker Adria Carmona before the official declaration of Pradeep Mohanraj and Gianni Zuiverloon. The Delhi-based side now has 23 players in the roster.
Pradeep Mohanraj had been training with the club during their pre-season trip to Kolkata for one whole week. Gianni Zuiverloon was previously with Spanish Segunda Division B side Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa.
The heart of the matter
Mohanraj joins from I-League side Chennai City FC and will surely add more depth to the midfield. Mohanraj is one of the few experienced names in India, who has not plied his trade in Kolkata.
The Udagamandalam (also known as Ooty) born-mideo started his senior career with now defunct, Chirag United Kerala in 2011. He went on to play for the Mumbai-based Air India side in the I-League 2012-13, making an impressive 23 appearances and netting 2 times.
He continued his career in Mumbai with stints at now-defunct sides like Mumbai Tigers and Mumbai FC. Mohanraj also showed for I-League 2nd Division side Ozone FC in the 2016-17 season before landing up a deal in his native state with Coimbatore based I-League side Chennai City in 2018.
Gianni Zuiverloon will land in India after securing a Segunda Division B title with Cultural in Spain, thus leaving the club after giving them the much-needed promotion to the Segunda Division.
Developed and nurtured by Dutch giants Feyenoord Rotterdam, Zuiverloon began his senior career with the De club aan de Maas as they are known as in Europe. With stints with top clubs in Europe such as Herenveen (Eridivise), West Bromwich Albion (Premier League), Ipswich Town (Championship) and Mallorca (Segunda Division), the Dutchman will surely add the much-needed versatility for Dynamos at the back.
What's next?
Delhi Dynamos are currently undergoing pre-season training in Kolkata and are expected to play some Calcutta Football League Premier B and 1st Division sides.
With Zuiverloon at the back, the Dynamos are surely now a tough nut to crack for the opposition attacking line-up.
Will Dynamos go all the way to lift their maiden ISL title? Voice out your opinions in the comment section.