ATK keeper Amrinder Singh speaks of his dreams, recalls his Pune FC days

ATK GOALKEEPER Amrinder Singh has said that playing regular matches at I-League for Pune FC has helped a lot to prepare for the ISL challenge. Speaking to Bengali daily Ei Samay, Amrinder said he dreamed of helping Atletico de Kolkata win the ISL again and get earning his place in the national team.

The 22 year old six foot one custodian from Punjab recounted how getting selected in a trial for the Pune FC academy transformed his life as a player. He quickly rose up the ranks at the Red Lizards' camp and got his first team debut in 2011. Amrinder said,

"Back then Subrata Paul was the first-choice keeper at Pune FC. He has been an inspiration for me since my childhood. Playing with him at Pune immensely helped in my development as a player."

Amrinder, who was the first round first pick at the ISL 2015 domestic draft, has been one of the most successful signings for the defending ISL champions. He has started 11 out of 13 matches for Atletico de Kolkata and made 34 crucial saves that have contributed to Atletico de Kolkata claiming the top spot in the points table. Speaking of his experience in ISL, he told Ei Samay,

"ISL is a huge platform for me. I'm learning every day... the team's success is everyhing for me. When the team wins, I'm happy like everyone else."

The keeper said his toils on the pitch are motivated by two dreams,

"I want to make ATK the ISL chamion again. And I want to play for India."

It will be interesting to see which club Amrinder plays for in the upcoming I-League 2015-16, since Pune FC, the club where he became the player he is today, is no longer a part of the nation's topmost football league.