Kerala Premier League -- Luca Soccer Club sign their first two foreigners
AHEAD OF THE Kerala Premier League, Luca Soccer Club have completed some crucial signings.
The Malappuram-based club which considered a direct I-League entry last year before the plans were halted due to the pandemic, is aiming for a place in the 2nd Division League to establish themselves in the national circuit. To get there they need to be one of the best performers in the Kerala Premier League, and the club management believes the first step is to add some experienced firepower to their offence & midfield.
Their first major signing is that of Bala Dahir Alhassan, the Nigerian medio who has been playing in South Asia for almost a decade. He played for Druk United in Bhutan before coming over to Garhwal FC and then playing for Minerva Punjab FC in the top division league. Alhassan also experienced the local football scene in Kerala when playing for FC Kerala, and also tried his hand at the Calcutta Football League playing for Peerless SC. He is the very first foreigner to sign for Luca Soccer Club, who have fielded all-Indian sides mostly featuring local talent so far.
The second signing is that of Koffi Konan Kevin from Ivory Coast, who mostly plays as a striker but also has some experience playing in the wings. Koffi played for multiple clubs back in his home country including Stella Club d'Adjamé, Cosmos Fc Abidjan and Alliance De L'indenié Abengourou. He also had a short stint at Shirak Gyumri FC in Armenia. He has played local football in India before, playing in the Delhi League for National Sporting Club.
Speaking about the signings, club CEO Waivaw Srivastav said,
"Bala & Koffi will be our foreign signings for the KPL 2020-21. Both players will add a lot of quality to our attack & defense lines. Our squad is now at par with the best in the tournament. Bala, in my opinion, will turn out to be one of the top players in the tournament, he will also fill the leadership void we had."
The 2021 season of KPL is expected to kick off in March, with the fixtures due to be released soon. It will be one of the few major local leagues to take place in India this season, with the fate of Calcutta Football League still undecided and the Mizoram Premier League 2020-21 cancelled.
