Indian Super League: Atlético Madrid acquire franchise in Kolkata, Atlético Madrid Kolkata

Atlético Madrid acquired a franchise in Kolkata, India, which will now become Atlético Madrid Kolkata, the club announced on 13/04/2014.

Atlético won one of the eight franchises being auctioned off by the ISL (Indian Super League, the professional Indian football league) in March 2014. The action was carried out by a group of private investors led by Sourav Ganguly, a star cricket player in India. The contract is for €2.2m annually over a period of 10 years.

By owning this franchise, the Spanish club hopes to strengthen the level of Indian football by helping to develop sales and business opportunities.

"I am very excited to have won the Kolkata Franchise‎ of the ISL and to be the first international team to directly own a club in India. Along with our Indian partners and IMG-Reliance [organiser of the Indian Super League], we aim to revolutionise football in that country", said Miguel Ángel Gil, CEO of Atlético Madrid.

Atlético Madrid Kolkata will first participate in the ISL between September and November 2014, wearing the red and white colours of the Spanish club. They will face…