Scottish forward Connor Shields signs for Chennaiyin FC

Connor Shields played under Owen Coyle at Queen's Park FC.

Chennaiyin FC have signed their second foreign player of the season after onboarding Scottish centre-forward Connor Shields ahead of the 2023-24 season.

The 25-year-old forward joins the Marina Machans from Scottish club Motherwell FC. Shields has worked with new Chennaiyin FC coach Owen Coyle at Queen's Park FC on loan in the 2022/23 season. He brings with him vast experience from the Scottish and English leagues.

“I am delighted to have joined Chennaiyin FC. I can’t wait to move to India and get started with this exciting new challenge ahead,” commented Shields.

Shields, who has most spent his time playing for various Scottish clubs, has also represented six-time English Champions Sunderland AFC at youth level for two seasons. At Queen's Park FC, Shields scored five goals and assisted four in 40 appearances in the 2022/23 season.

Chennaiyin FC's preparations

Chennaiyin FC have welcomed back Owen Coyle as their new tactician. Coyle will be taking charge of the side from August after he completes his obligations to current club Queen’s Park FC. Notably, Coyle has welcomed one of his former students – Jordan Murray. Murray is Chennaiyin’s first foreign signing of the season, after they let go of all their six foreigners from last term.

Notably, they are perhaps the only team with numerous young talents in it – the recent ones being Irfan Yadwad, Sachu Siby, Bijay Chhetri and Prateek Kumar Singh. They have also roped in former East Bengal right-back Ankit Mukherjee, and Kerala Blasters midfielder Ayush Adhikari.

One of the major Indian signings and a surprising one too, was that of Farukh Choudhary (as revealed by Khel Now earlier), who was out of action for quite some time and received very less game-time last season after recovering from the injury. Now with Owen Coyle on board and six totally new foreign players, it is to be seen how Chennaiyin FC perform this season.