ISL 2021-22: Jamshedpur FC completes signing of Anas Edathodika

Jamshedpur FC have completed the signing of Anas Edathodika ahead of the eighth season of the Hero Indian Super League. Anas had represented the club back in the 2017-18 season and he will make a return to the team.

In fact, the 34-year old centre-back was the first Indian player, who was signed by Jamshedpur FC back in the 2017-18 draft. The defender is delighted to be back at the club and he is looking forward to joining his teammates.

He said, “It’s great to be back with Jamshedpur. I had a good experience in my previous season here where I felt the unconditional love of the fans. I look forward to the new season and want to achieve success for the fans. I wish to complete my unfulfilled dream with the club by helping us win the [Hero] ISL trophy. We missed out narrowly the last time I was here and want to make amends.”

Anas revealed the reason for his return. “The gaffer along with my previous experience at the club were two great factors to make a return. Owen Coyle is a great coach. We all know what he has done and achieved in the past and I firmly believe that the club is going in the right direction under his guidance,” he said.

Anas has all the experience under his belt as he played almost 200 club matches in India’s top leagues and club tournaments as well as the AFC competitions after making his debut back in 2007. The experienced player has played for clubs like Mumbai FC, Pune FC, Delhi Dynamos FC, Mohun Bagan, ATK FC, Kerala Blasters FC and including 10 appearances for Jamshedpur FC.

Jamshedpur FC head coach Owen Coyle revealed how Anas’ signing will help the club.

“Anas is a proven centre-back with a wealth of experience playing in the top levels of Indian football for almost 15 years now. He is calm and composed under pressure and will be a valuable addition to the squad. Our objective is to continue what we achieved defensively last season. The Fewer the goals conceded, the more the chances of winning and a player like Anas will give us that security,” he said.

Jamshedpur FC had finished at the sixth place in the previous season of the ISL as they had won seven matches out of the 20 they played. Thus, they could not qualify for the semi-final stages.