Kerala Blasters secure the services of French defender Cyril Kali

The southern outfit have gone up a notch and added more steel to their backline by signing the Frenchman.

Kerala Blasters have confirmed the signing of French defender Cyril Kali for the upcoming ISL season.

The 34-year old can slot in multiple defensive positions and even as a defensive midfielder. Kali has been plying his trade for a long time in Greece, playing for clubs like Asteras Tripoli and AE Larisa. He has also featured for the LOSC Lille B side and had a stint with five-time Norwegian champions, Lillestrom SK. His experience of playing in various European countries will definitely help during his time here in the ISL, as this will be his first stint in the sub-continent

Kali becomes the first French player to join the southerners since the departure of Cedric Hengbart. The AJ Auxerre academy product will definitely add more steel to their backline, which already looks formidable with the addition of Anas Edathodika.

The 34-year old defender is joining from Apollon Pontou, after he inspired them to a respectable seventh-place finish in the Greek Second Division. He has also kept eight clean-sheets in the process and also found the back of the net once.

The southerners are building a very powerful backline with Jhingan and Edathodika already in their ranks, the arrival of the Frenchmen will mean more variety for manager David James through the season. Kali's ability to also play as a defensive midfielder might come in handy, as James can play the Indian defensive duo along with the Frenchman right in front of them.

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The Blasters have started their preparations on a high as Kali will join the likes of Nemanja Lakic-Pesic, Keziron Kizito and Courage Pekuson as foreign additions for the new season. The southerners had a disappointing campaign last time around and are eager to find their way back to the top by solidify the backline first. The former finalists conceded 22 goals last season and the defence has been a major problem for the Blasters.

Kerala Blasters are also scheduled to play a high-profile pre-season tournament alongside A-League team Melbourne City FC and La Liga side FC Girona in Kochi starting from 24th July.