ISL: Chennaiyin FC retain Elano as marquee player

Chennai: Chennaiyin FC have retained Brazilian World Cupper Elano Blumer as their marquee player for the second season of the Hero Indian Super League football which begins on October 3.

Elano, who turned 34 on Sunday, will be joining Chennaiyin FC on loan from Brazilian club Santos to feature in the 2015 Hero ISL. The playmaker made an explosive start in the inaugural ISL last year, scoring eight goals in his first six games, and eventually won the Golden Boot.

Elano Blumer celebrates after scoring a goal in the first edition of ISL. File Pic

Elano's trademark freekicks and individual brilliance were among the best highlights of the 2014 ISL. The former Manchester City player has already tasted success this calendar year with Santos, securing the Sao Paolo state championship, and is a key member of their squad in the ongoing Brazilian Serie A.

"We are delighted to have retained Elano for the second season of the Hero Indian Super League. He was outstanding in the first ISL and his class and superior technical quality will definitely give us an edge this season also. We are working very hard to build a strong squad and retaining Elano as our marquee player is a big step in that direction," said Chennaiyin FC manager Marco Materazzi.

"I am thrilled to sign for Chennaiyin FC to play in the second season of ISL. I have fantastic memories of my first season in India, where I really enjoyed performing in front of some great support especially in our Marina Arena in Chennai. I credit my individual success to the wonderful support I received from the entire Chennaiyin FC family starting from the owners, management, teammates and of course the passionate fans of CFC. I am already looking forward to the second season and determined to make Chennaiyin FC the ISL champions this time," Elano stated.