The Hero Indian Super League, as it is officially known, will run from October to December this year in its inaugural season. Featuring eight franchises from all over India, the league has managed to attract a number of well-known former stars of the game.
The League hosted two drafts, one for domestic Indian players, and the other for foreign players, as well as assigning "marquee" players for each franchise. Some of the players assigned to Indian Super League clubs will be very familiar to fans of English football.
Alessandro Del Piero - Delhi Dynamos FC
The next stop on Alessandro Del Piero's pre-retirement World Tour will see him land in Delhi as a player and ambassador for the league. Having enjoyed a stint in the A-League with Sydney FC, many believe Del Piero will play in India until December before joining an MLS franchise in the new year.
Bernard Mendy - Chennai Titans
Former PSG, Bolton, and Hull City full back Bernard Mendy was a first round pick for the Chennai Titans, and they will be hoping he can recapture the form that saw Mendy become an attractive fantasy football option while playing for Hull City under Phil Brown.
Bojan Djordjic - Chennai Titans
Former Manchester United flop Bojan Djordjic made just one competitive appearance for the Red Devils, despite being a highly regarded talent and winning the academy player of the year award at 18 years old. Once he departed Old Trafford, Djordjic re-defined the term 'journeyman' with a career that can only be summed up in one wikipedia image:
Luis Garcia - Atletico de Kolkata
The Spanish influence at Kolkata's franchise is obvious, if not for the club's name, then for it's marquee signing in Liverpool cult hero Luis Garcia. The inconsistent Garcia always saved his best for the big games, where he developed a knack for popping up with hugely important goals, often in the Champions League knock-out rounds. He had been playing with UNAM Pumas in the Mexican league most recently.
Josemi - Atletico de Kolkata
Its quite clear which Indian Super League side Liverpool fans will be supporting. Another Spanish player for Atletico de Kolkata, Joesmi, like Luis Garcia, is another signing made during Rafa Benitez's time as Liverpool manager, although much less successful than his compatriot.
David Trezeguet - FC Pune City
FC Pune City managed to attract a really big name in former Juventus and France star David Trezeguet. The 36 year old may have been out of European football for a number of years, but having achieved so much in his career he will surely be a big asset to his new team. Trezeguet will be joining from the Argentinian League where he has been playing since 2011.
David James - Kerala Blasters
David James will be the player manager of the Kerala Blasters. Let that sink in for a second. The former England 'keeper will be participating in the Indian Super League both as a player and as head coach of the Blasters, so how could you not want to follow the league upon hearing that news?
Michael Chopra - Kerala Blasters
Michael Chopra seems to have failed in his mission to play for every single Championship side in England, but the man who never could quite make the leap to the Premier League has set his sites on the Indian Super League, and has also recently announced, at the age of 30, that he wants to play for India.
Manuel Friedrich - Mumbai City FC
Not many players will be making the switch from Borussia Dortmund to Mumbai City FC, but that is exactly what veteran German defender Manuel Friedrich will be doing. A stalwart of the German team that reached the 2002 World Cup finals, Friedrich most recently played for Dortmund on an emergency loan during their injury crisis last season, and even managed to bad himself a goal in his 11 appearances.
Joan Capdevila - NorthEast United FC
Another World Cup winner in the Indian Super League, Capdevila also started for Spain throughout their 2008 European Championship winning campaign, before claiming the World Cup in 2010. Having made over 100 appearances for Deportivo La Coruna, and Villarreal in Spain, the full-back who loves the #11 shirt will now attempt to add the Indian Super League to his swelling trophy cabinet.
So there you have it. The Indian Super League is packed with stars, so pick your team and get involved!
