ATK Mohun Bagan sign Slavko Damjanovic as Florentin Pogba's replacement

The Serbian centre-back has previously represented Chennaiyin FC in the ISL.

ATK Mohun Bagan have completed the signing of Serbian defender Slavko Damjanovic. The 30-year-old, who can only join the club in January, will replace the injured Florentin Pogba in the Mariners' lineup. Damjanovic has prior Indian Super League (ISL) experience having spent the previous season at Chennaiyin FC. He joins the Mariners from the Serbian club Novi Pazar.

Florentin Pogba, who joined ATK Mohun Bagan this summer amidst huge excitement and expectations, played just two ISL matches before injury cut short his season. Overall, he made six appearances for the Mariners. Pogba has left India and returned home as he recuperates from a recent surgery.

Slavko Damjanovic in the ISL

During his time in India, Damjanovic played 19 times for Chennaiyin FC in ISL 2021-22. He made 40 tackles, 89 clearances and 43 blocks in 1666 minutes that he played in the ISL last season. Damjanovic was a rare shining light in a tepid Chennaiyin FC defence that conceded 35 goals in 20 matches. Last season, he missed just one game against Kerala Blasters.

Following his stint in India, Damjanovic joined his native country club Novi Pazar, which competes in the Serbian SuperLiga - the country's top-tier football competition.

With ATKMB in dire need of a foreign centre-back due to Pogba's injury troubles, Slavko Damjanovic is a fine addition. Apart from his ISL experience, the 6.2 ft defender has also played in the Europa League qualifiers as well as the AFC Champions League qualifiers. This season Damjanovic has only made five appearances for Novi Pazar, often finding himself on the bench.

ATK Mohun Bagan are currently ranked third in the ISL points table after 10 games. They have 20 points and are four behind leaders Mumbai City FC, who also have a healthy goal difference.