ATK rope in prolific Nigerian star striker Kalu Uche

The frontman will join the squad from the next season and will not be part of the squad in the Super Cup.

Two times Indian Super League (ISL) champions ATK have secured the signing of Nigerian forward Kalu Uche as one of their first players for ISL 2018-19, the club confirmed. The 35-year-old began his career in Nigeria with Enyimba International F.C. and Iwuanyanwu Nationale. Uche then transferred to Wisła Kraków, playing there until 2005 where he won the Ekstraklasa three times and Polish Cup twice. He began his Spanish journey in 2005-06 when Uche moved to UD Almería, and was instrumental in helping the Andalusia club to its first ever La Liga promotion.

Uche has been a force to reckon with in the last term of the ISL

The Nigerian striker has also played for Sevilla FC, Swiss Super League side Neuchâtel Xamax, Turkish club Kasımpaşa SK. His solid club performances earned him a spot in the Nigerian national team and he represented his home country in World Cup 2010.

In ISL, he was the leading goal-scorer for Delhi Dynamos in 2017-18 season, scoring 13 scintillating goals. He will be seen in red and white jersey for the first time and is expected to bring his fiery form to the team.

“I am thrilled to be part of ATK and be associated with a city where football is a religion. The fans here understand the game and I am eager to contribute to the two-time champion team. I hope to give my best and continue with scoring goals," said Uche.

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Despite being the champions in the season before, ATK fell prey to lack of goals and ultimately went down to the bottom side of the table. The dip in the performance of the Kolkata franchise then saw the sacking of head coach Teddy Sheringham and the appointment of Ashely Westwood as interim coach followed by Robbie Keane who was appointed as a player-coach of the club.

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Uche is expected to be a regular starter leading the front lines of ATK next season, a position where ATK have shown severe weakness in this one.

“We are glad to have Uche on board. He is a player who brings both experience and performance to the ATK squad.  We wish him all the very best," said ATK owner Sanjiv Goenka.