Mumbai, July 10 (IANS) Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan, who co-owns Pune City FC, on Friday said he never had so much fun spending money as the franchise roped in two very talented youngsters at the Indian Super League (ISL) auction here.
Pune bagged Jakichand Singh for Rs.45 lakhs and Eugeneson Lyngdoh — the first footballer to touch the crore mark (1.05 crores) from a base price of Rs.27.5 lakh.
“Initially, I was nervous thinking why people are so serious here. My heart was beating fast. There is a lot of money, strategy involved. We got exactly what we needed keeping in mind (head coach) David’s (Platt) strategy. I have never had more fun spending money because what we were buying was worth it,” Hrithik told reporters at a press conference here.
Expressing his delight, the Bollywood heartthrob added: “This man has wings (Jackichand) and he flies like a rocket. Even the experience Lyngdoh will get in the team will be huge. The growth process is fantastic. If you are paying a certain price for a value attached, I think it is truly deserving.”
Englishman Platt said they bagged the two primary targets they had in mind via the auction.
“(It was) my first time in the auction. We are fortunate to have professionals and bag the two primary targets we had. Not just these players can get better, but the younger players as well can come through,” Platt said.
Jackichand was seen hugging Sunil Chhetri, who went to Mumbai City FC for Rs.1.20 crore, during the auction. Asked what was it about, the Royal Wahingdoh winger said: “Sunil bhaiyaa mazak kar rahe the humein khush karne keliye (Sunil was cracking jokes to make me happy).”