Pune FC sign English defender Calum Angus

Pune Football Club has completed the signing of former Portsmouth FC academy defender Calum Angus for the upcoming 2013-14 season.

The Englishman joined the I-League runners up Pune FC after spending four years at Swedish side Göteborgs Atlet-och Idrottssällskap (Gothenburg Athletics & Sports Association) popularly known as GAIS.

When at GAIS, the 27-year-old central defender was part of their campaign in the Allsvenskan (Division 1), with the high-point being a 5th place finish in 2011.

Pune FC Head of Operations, Chirag Tanna said: “Mike (coach) has spent a lot of time analysing videos of Calum and we are very pleased to have Calum sign with us. He comes with a lot of experience and should bolster our back line. I would like to wish him the best of luck for the season ahead.”

Angus said: “I’m happy to be here (Pune FC). The emphasis of Pune FC is on the youth system and it’s very interesting. They want to bring young players into the main team and it is very exciting.”

“I spoke to the coach (Mike Snoei) and he is very positive about the team. We’ve got good young players and so the coach was interested in me to come here and hand over some experience to the youngsters.”

“The club is definitely looking long term. At the same time they had a great season last year and we want to continue on that this year.”

Angus’s inclusion makes him the second foreign player to sign for Pune FC in this window after Spanish-born striker Raul Fabiani. Both join playmaker Douhou Pierre to fill up three out of the four foreign slots for this season.

The 6 foot tall defender began his career at the Portsmouth FC Academy (2004) before moving to the United States where he joined Saint Louis University (United States) on a soccer scholarship as an 18-year-old.

His college-football stint proved successful and drew a host of eyeballs. Among several achievements, were the 2008 NSCAA All American First Team, A10 Defender of the Year and also two-time First Team All-Region, were stand outs.

During this time, Angus also made eight appearances for local United Soccer League Premier (USL) Development League side St. Louis Lions, managing to score two goals.

Interestingly, Angus was also offered a trial by Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls.

In 2008 he signed with USL-2 side Wilmington Hammerheads, a team in the third tier of American League soccer, playing five games.

The following year, Angus took a big leap and joined Swedish side GAIS after a successful trial in June 2009 midway through their Allsvenskan campaign. The sturdy stopper slowly cemented his position in the GAIS back-line during his long stay at the club in the Swedish top-flight.

His stint in Sweden includes playing in the first half of the 2013 Superettan, before moving to a third continent and joining Pune FC.

At Pune FC, Angus becomes the fourth foreign defender in the I-League era, after Sergey Tokov (Uzbekistan; 2009-10), Chika Wali (Nigeria; 2009-10 & 2011-13) and Lamine Tamba (Senegal; 2010-11). He also becomes the second European player to sign for Pune FC after Fabiani.

The deal between Pune FC and Calum Angus was facilitated by Libero Sports.