The Hero Indian Super League today announced the first set of international players who will figure in the international players’ draft while confirming the services of Colombian defenders Jairo Suarez and Andrés González for the inaugural season.“It’s an honour to represent Colombian football in a country as important as India. It is a great responsibility and I hope to entertain the fans with my performance.”Jairo SuarezSuarez and González, along with 47 other international footballers, will make up the required 49 players up for picks in the international player draft. Four clubs – Delhi Dynamos FC (2 players), FC Pune City (2), NorthEast United FC (2) and Atlético de Kolkata (1) – have already made use of the opportunity to sign international players outside of the draft structure.Both Suarez and Gonzalez are thrilled to participate in and support the growth of football in India. “It’s an honour to represent Colombian football in a country as important as India. It is a great responsibility and I hope to entertain the fans with my performance,” said the 29-year-old Suarez, who plays as right back for Colombia’s most important and historic team Santa Fe (Categoría Primera A).Gonzalez, the 30-year-old central back who has turned out for the Colombian national team said, “I am happy to be part of the new Indian Super League. I see the League heading in the right direction, engaging millions of Indian fans and driving improvement in the playing standards. I look forward to sharing space with the legends of the game and share my experience with the youngsters in India.”
