ISL 2018: Jamshedpur FC rope in former Everton midfielder Tim Cahill from Australia
What's the story?
Indian Super League (ISL) side Jamshedpur FC have shaken the transfer market by getting aboard former Everton and Millwall midfielder Tim Cahill on a free transfer.
In case you didn't know...
Cahill is also the all-time leading goal scorer for the Socceroos, with 50 goals in 107 international appearances between 2004 and 2018. He is also the first Australian to score at a FIFA World Cup and has played in four World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014 & 2018), scoring 5 World Cup goals.
In 2007, he also became the first Australian to score at an AFC Asian Cup game and was part of the 2015 squad that won the coveted tournament by overcoming South Korea 2-1 in the final.
The heart of the matter
Developed and nurtured by Sydney Olympic and Sydney United, he was scouted by the English side Millwall in 1998. Cahill made his professional debut with Millwall and went on to play for The Lions a record 217 games, netting 52 goals across 6 years.
Cahill then went on to play for Premier League side Everton FC in 2004. He stayed at the club for 8 years before moving to the Major League Soccer in 2012. Cahill made 226 appearances and scored 56 goals for the Blues.
Cahill, after being past his prime, switched to USA and plied his trade for Major League Soccer (MLS) side, New York Side for 3 seasons up to 2015, with 14 goals in 62 appearances. Cahill switched to China with short stints at Shanghai Shenua and Hangzho Greentown before returning to his home nation for a stint with A-League side, Melbourne City.
In the middle of the 2017-18 season, his professional club Milwall brought him back. However, he was released at the end of the season, and had been a Free Agent ever since.
What's next?
Cahill will join Jamshedpur FC probably in Spain in a few days.
With Cahill in their ranks, Jamshedpur FC have upped the star quotient of the Indian Super League manifold. However, he being way past his prime, can result in this possible transfer coup turning into a failed deal if Cahill fails to perform up to the standards he has set for himself.
Will Cahill put up exemplary performances in the Indian Super League for Jamshedpur FC? Voice out your opinions in the comments section below.