Mohamed Sissoko, the former Liverpool and Juventus midfielder, has signed for FC Pune City as their marquee player for the third season of the ISL, subject to a medical clearance. Sissoko was roped in after Eidur Gudjohnsen, the team's original marquee player, was ruled out of the tournament due to an ankle injury.
Sissoko started his youth career in 1998 with Auxerre, before moving to FC Valencia in 2003, where he was part of the La Liga-winning squad in 2003-04 under Rafael Benitez. In the summer of 2005, he left Valencia to rejoin Benitez in Liverpool, collecting an FA Cup winners' medal in 2006. In 2008, Sissoko was transferred to Juventus, for who he would make 71 appearances, before moving to Paris Saint Germain in 2011.
"The moment FC Pune City expressed their interest and discussed their plans, I knew this was the challenge I would love to take up," Sissoko said. "Coach Habas and FC Pune City management showed full confidence in me and I will do everything in my abilities to fight for a place in starting XI for every game because FC Pune City team is so good and compact."
Pune's coach Antonio Habas has worked with Sissoko before, at Valencia, and was happy to join hands with him again.
"Sissoko is a true professional having played for reputed clubs across Europe," Habas said. "He told us that he is ready to take the field whenever required. He is known to be a great ball winner, a role that will allow him to support our offence for winning back possession. I am excited at the prospect of working with him again, this time for bringing glory to FC Pune City."