FC Pune City rope in Greek veteran Katsouranis

Indian Super League (ISL) franchise FC Pune City Wednesday confirmed the signing of veteran Greece international Kostas Katsouranis.

The former Benfica defender will join ex-Juventus star David Trezeguet to further strengthen the team.

He is the first player to feature in the money-spinning tournament to have participated in this year's FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

He was the stand-in captain for his country in Brazil after the team's regular captain, Georgios Karagounis, was restricted to mostly substitute appearances.

"It is not an impulsive decision for me, I had been in touch with the FC Pune City for over a month. What really attracted me to join them was their desire to win and promote football in India," Katsouranis said.

"Our team needed a strong playmaker who could play box-to-box. It was one position which we wanted to fill and now with the inclusion of Kostas in the team, we are surely a more balanced unit" said Franco Colomba, head coach of the team.

The 35-year old midfielder made his international debut in 2003 against Sweden and scored his first goal against Kazakhstan in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier. He was instrumental in Greece's 2004 UEFA Euro win.

"We are delighted to have Kostas in our ranks and would like to extend my heartiest welcome to him. He has been a phenomenal performer for his country and we at FC Pune City are confident that his inclusion will be a game changer," Gaurav Modwel, CEO of the franchisee said.

The team's moral was further boosted when three of their players - Lenny Rodrigues, Pritam Kotal and Arindam Bhattacharya - were called up for national duty for two friendly matches against Palestine.

FC Pune City is owned by Rajesh Wadhawan Group. The inaugural ISL season will begin Oct 12.