Indian Super League Gets Spanish World Cupper Joan Capdevila as Marquee Player

The 36-year0old Capdevila has played over 400 games in the La Liga.

© NDTV

North-East United Football Club has signed up Joan Capdevila as their Marquee Player for the Indian Super League later this year. Capdevila is a Spanish defender who played for his country in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and was a member of the 2008 Euro-winning national team. North-East United FC is co-owned by Bollywood star John Abraham.

Thirty-six-year-old Capdevila, a left back, has played over 400 games with 36 goals in the Spanish La Liga for big Guns like Espanyol, Atletico Madrid, Deportivo and Villarreal. He had a stint with Benfica as well. Last season, Capdevila played for Espanyol. (Indian Football Needs a New Hero: John Abraham)

"At this stage, after winning everything to be won a new challenge was needed. After speaking to John Abraham about the way he is passionately looking to promote football in India and the project of North-East United FC, it excited me to take up this challenge," said Capdevila.

"India is a huge country and it should be a privilege for me to be a small part in popularizing this global game here and working with the young talented footballers of North East India," the ex-Spanish star said.

Abraham said: "We at North-East United FC are very excited that Joan Capdevila is a marquee player for our team. We are confident that his achievements in the game and his presence in our team will motivate our younger Indian players and his inputs would help us build a strong team for our future."

Lajong FC Managing Director and North-East United FC co-owner, Larsing M. Sawyan said: "This is the best thing that has happened to NorthEast United FC. A player of Joan Capdevila's calibre will definitely add impetus to our ambitions in the upcoming ISL. Football fans from the North-East are already familiar with him and we believe the excitement of the ISL in North-East has already reached a high level."