ATK Mohun Bagan head coach Juan Ferrando hinted at another new foreign signing after the club secured the services of Slavko Damjanovic on Wednesday, however, the Spaniard remained tight-lipped about the details of the player. 

When asked about the type of player the new signing was, Ferrando gave a cheeky answer. 

“He is a very good player,” the Mariners gaffer said, holding back the details as he revealed that they are close to signing a new player. 

“We signed Slavko Damjanovic and we are closing in on another player. But he is yet to sign the contract. We are also looking to sign new players but it is difficult to find quality players in this transfer window,” he said commenting on their transfer plans. 

ATK Mohun Bagan have been forced to enter the market after midfielder Joni Kauko and defender Florentin Pogba have been ruled out of the season and centre-back Tiri is still on the road to recovery. 

“Pogba tried very hard to play, he tried to train, but with the injury it was very difficult,” Ferrando said during the pre-match press conference ahead of the NorthEast United FC match. 

“For Kauko, he needs surgery and will be out for 6-7 months,” he added. 

Ferrando though had some positive news to share about defender Tiri who is closer to returning to action. 

“Tiri is in process of recovery but when you have a ligament surgery, the process of recovery is long. He needs one more month to work with the team and maybe in February, we have him,” the Spaniard said. 

“I am waiting for him and if he can come back to the team I will be really happy because it helps the character of the team. I am upset because these are quality players,” he added. 

The Mariners gaffer though assured the fans that the new players would be ready to slot in straight away and help the team in the second half of the season. 

“The new players will be ready to support the team from a physical point of view. Of course, they would need to learn tactical details but they will be ready to play,” he said. 

ATK Mohun Bagan find themselves four points behind leaders Mumbai City FC at the halfway stage and sit in the third position in the table. The Mariners faithful will look for an improvement from the team in the second half of the season as they try to chase Mumbai City FC and Hyderabad FC in the race for the League Winners’ Shield. 

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2022-2023 Slavko Damjanovic