ATK sign former KBFC midfielder Scotsman Stephen Pearson

ATLETICO DE KOLKATA have moved fast to make up for the departure of their trusted midfielder Arata Izumi to sign a Scottish midfielder with previous experience of playing in the ISL: Stephen Pearson.

The 33 year Pearson has played in the top division leagues of England and Scotland for clubs like Motherwell FC, Celtic FC and Derby County. He has also made 10 appearances for the Scotland national team. 

In 2014, he appeared in all the matches of the inaugural edition of Indian Super League for Kerala Blasters. He also scored 1 goal in the tournament and was there when KBFC lost the final to Atletico de Kolkata. Following his ISL stint he went back to his first professional club, Motherwell FC, and has been playing consistently for them since then.

There's little doubt that this is a major signing for Atletico de Kolkata, and that they are developing a knack of signing former Kerala Blasters players.

Earlier today, it was officially announced that Arata Izumi had followed former ATK coach Antonio Habas to Pune City. Having a player who has had regular game time, and knows the tournament and conditions well, and has played well alongside ATK's star striker Iain Hume, helps to have some amount of familiarity in the squad as the franchise prepares to adjust to the ways of a new head coach.