Pune, July 21 (IANS) FC Pune City have signed two English footballers — defender Nicky Shorey and goalkeeper Steve Simonsen, the India Super League (ISL) franchise announced on Tuesday.
Left-back Shorey played for English club Portsmouth FC last year while goalkeeper Steve Simonsen played for Scottish side Rangers FC. Pune have earlier signed Costa Rican striker Yendrick Ruiz. The team will be managed by Englishman David Platt.
Shorey has previously played for several English Premier League clubs including Reading, West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa. Stevenson earlier played for top English clubs Everton and Stoke City.
“I am excited to be playing in India, I have tried to follow a few matches of last season and I am really looking forward to playing the ISL. Signing with FC Pune City is really exciting as I’d get to play under David Platt who has so much of experience to share. I am hoping to bring my experience on field and helping the team win the title,” Nicky said in a statement on Tuesday.
“I am extremely honoured to be playing for FC Pune City, I heard a lot about the ISL and I’m looking forward to being part of the FC Pune City journey and hoping to bring in my experience to win games and hearts together,” Simonsen said in the release.
The second edition of ISL starts on October 3. Pune play their first match against Mumbai City FC on October 5.