Mumbai City's Arnold Issoko signs for French second division side SM Caen

The Congolese has signed a two-year deal with the option for an automatic one-year extension provided his team achieve promotion to Ligue 1.

Arnold Issoko has been announced as the most recent acquisition of French second division side SM Caen. Issoko played a crucial part in Mumbai City FC's run to the semi-finals of the Indian Super League last season. The player was officially announced as a Caen player through the club's social media handles.

Issoko was a major influence on Mumbai City FC's gameplan. The Congolese was one of the best attacking players of the league and created the most chances for the team that relied heavily on counter-attacks for its goals.

Primarily a right-back, Issoko was used as a right winger by Jorge Costa and he didn't disappoint his Portuguese head coach. The player who has played for a number of Portuguese top division clubs brought all of his experience to his game in the most crucial ties.

He was crucial to Mumbai City's scoring prowess, as he assisted a league-high eight goals and scored three himself. Despite being so productive in attack, the Congolese stayed true to his abilities as a full-back and bailed out teammate Souvik Chakrabathy from difficult situations many times.

The work-ethic of the 27-year-old never let him shy away from running up and down to attack and defend cohesively. He was one of the major reasons why despite having an unsettled backline for most of the campaign, Costa didn't have to worry about his right-back.

The Portuguese tactician was so assured of Issoko's ability to attack and defend together, even when played as a winger, that when Subhasish Bose went on to miss games due to injury, Costa played his right-back, Souvik, as the left-back and slotted Md Rafique in as a uncharacteristic right-back, putting all his faith in the Congolese to help his Indian makeshift right-back while defending.

Issoko has signed a two-year deal with the team that were relegated from the first division of France last season and he would look to play the first division, Ligue 1, as soon as he can. The Congolese, being 27-years-old, is just about to reach his peak and a move like this was essential for him.