Riise, Forlan sign up for Indian Super League

New Delhi (AFP) – The Indian Super League’s reigning champions Chennaiyin on Thursday announced the signing of Norwegian defender John Arne Riise for the tournament’s upcoming edition.

Riise, 35, a Liverpool veteran and Norway’s most capped international, most recently played for Norwegian club Aalesund.

Two months ago he was widely reported to be retiring from professional football, but said Thursday he had always considered a return.

“Back in June I decided to take a break from football but I always kept the door open for a return,” his new club Chennaiyin quoted him as saying on Twitter. 

Riise is no stranger to the ISL, having played 15 games for the Delhi Dynamos in 2015. 

His move to Chennaiyin comes days after another Indian Super League team, Mumbai City, announced that they had signed Uruguay legend Diego Forlan.

Forlan has previously represented Premier League giant Manchester United and Spanish clubs Atletico Madrid and Villareal. 

Forlan, 37, will likely be one of the biggest draws for the competition’s third edition. 

He scored 36 goals in his 112 appearances for the country and won the Golden Ball award at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.  

The 10-week ISL is modelled on the lines of cricket’s cash-rich Indian Premier League, with ageing former international greats fronting many teams.

Cricketing stars including Sachin Tendulkar and Bollywood A-listers are among the teams’ owners.