ISL 2018: ATK's Shankar Sampingiraj in close talks with FC Pune City

ATK midfielder Shankar Sampingiraj is in talks with FC Pune City after the Kolkata club finished its 2017-18 ISL campaign on as the second worst team in the league.

The former Bengaluru FC midfielder will be seen donning the orange and purple of the Pune-based ISL outfit as the Stallions have successfully acquired the services of the 23-year-old.

Shankar appeared eleven times for the ATK during his time at the club, out of which he started on five occasions, in spite of being devastated courtesy his injury troubles during the commencement of the season.

After signing defender Keenan Almeida, midfielder Alwyn George and winger Nikhil Poojary, Sampingiraj has become FC Pune City’s fourth signing since the ISL season wrapped up, as the club seems super active in the transfer window.

The central midfielder was a part of the squad at Bengaluru FC during previous seasons of the I-League and was also involved with the Kerala Blasters in the 2015 edition of the Indian Super League.

Shankar made his debut for the U23 Indian football team versus Uzbekistan U23 in 2015 during an AFC U-23 qualifier (of 2016) in the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Bangladesh. Though he was given the nod to be a part of the starting XI, the midfielder was asked to leave the pitch following the show of a red card against Syria U23 in the second fixture of the qualifiers, as the Indian team incurred a 4-0 loss.

With FC Pune City finishing their ISL 2017-18 season on the 4th spot, being their best ever position in their history of the ISL, they said to be looking to strengthen in all departments on the field as they will be eyeing the to clinch the elusive trophy, or at least make it to the finals next season.