ISL: ATK rope in Sheikh Faiaz; in talks with Malsawmzuala

Two-time Indian Super League (ISL) champions ATK have managed to secure the signature of Sheikh Faiaz for the 2018/19 season, Goal can confirm.

The 23-year-old winger was an integral part of Mohun Bagan's run in the recently concluded Super Cup, where the Mariners were ousted by eventual champions Bengaluru FC in the semi-final.

Formerly of Mohammedan SC, Faiaz joined the Green and Maroons earlier this season and managed to establish himself in the Calcutta Football League (CFL), where they were runners-up.

The winger can play on either flank and played in all 21 games for Mohun Bagan this season, starting in 11 of them and scoring three goals.

It is also reliably learnt that the Sourav Ganguly co-owned outfit are in advanced talks with Mizoram-born Malsawmzuala.

The Bengaluru FC midfielder did not get a single minute of playing time in the 2017/18 ISL despite being named on the bench six times as his side ended runners-up to Chennaiyin FC.



Fondly known as 'Sawmtea', he has however started in all 7 AFC Cup games for the Blues, where Albert Roca has mostly named second-string sides. 

The former Delhi Dynamos man made only a single appearance in the Super Cup, coming on in injury time in the semi-final when Bengaluru were already leading 4-1 against Mohun Bagan.

After a disappointing campaign where the Kolkata side ended ninth in the league, the management has acted quickly to strengthen the team for the upcoming season.

Faiaz will join his Mohun Bagan teammate Ricky Lallawmawma at ATK. The likes of Kalu Uche and John Johnson have already been signed while negotiations with Arnab Mondal and Cavin Lobo are ongoing.