After signing a one-year contract with ATK Mohun Bagan FC, Fijian striker Roy Krishna is looking forward to donning the iconic green and maroon jersey of the club. The forward played a key role in ATK FC’s third Hero ISL title triumph last season, scoring 15 goals for the club and in a recent interview with the Fiji Sun, he shared his excitement at the prospect of linking up with his teammates as well as head coach Antonio Lopez Habas ahead of the upcoming campaign.

“I’m looking forward to reuniting with my teammates from Kolkata and getting back to training under the guidance of coach (Antonio Lopez) Habas. I am also very excited about the merger of ATK and Mohun Bagan. After a successful season winning the 2019-20 Hero ISL trophy, there’s no question that I want to stay with a champion team,” Krishna said.

The 33-year-old forward announced his departure from his home country of Fiji on social media on Thursday to spend a mandatory two-week quarantine in New Zealand, before heading to Goa to link up with his teammates. Prior to signing his new contract with ATK Mohun Bagan, Krishna also took the prevalent COVID-19 pandemic into consideration.

Travel during covid times. My long journey back to India begins almost a month before preseason with the team. First stop NZ & two weeks of quarantine before another long journey to Goa. pic.twitter.com/dcYhPSyomp

— Roy Krishna 🇫🇯🇳🇿 (@RoyKrishna21) September 24, 2020

“I had to keep in mind the current crises of the COVID-19 cases, which is on the increase around the world and the football landscape has changed drastically. Most leagues are being played behind closed doors, some have been put on hold, and clubs are cutting player’s salaries. We had to take all this into consideration before making a decision,” he said.

Krishna also revealed that he had offers from various clubs in the A-League but chose to return to India because of the love and adulation he received at the club last season. “My introduction to the Indian Super League was through ATK FC and I am so excited to be heading back there. They looked after me well and I have a lot of respect for the management, the owners, my colleagues and the fans who have shown me so much love and affection and have continued to support me,” the striker shared.