Mumbai City FC look to strengthen the side with 3 overseas signings for ISL-2

The trio bring a host of experience with them

Mumbai, 30th July 2015

Mumbai City FC has signed Haitian defender Frantz Bertin, French striker Frederic Piquionne and Spanish defender Cristian Bustos for ISL Season 2. The three high-profile signings come with extensive international experience and knowledge that will provide the team much needed strength and force. The players’ style of play and work ethic align well with the team managed by Anelka.

Cristian Bustos, a Spanish professional footballer, played for RCD Mallorca as a defensive midfielder. He will be Mumbai City FC’s hard man, a tough tackling centre midfielder who will look to create a lot of buzz in Spain, with him being signed up for ISL season 2. His presence will definitely give Mumbai City FC a much-needed edge.

Frederic Piquionne, a French striker plays for Martinique at the international level, represented them in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup and was part of the 2012 Caribbean Cup squad. He has also represented France in a friendly match against Austria in 2007.

He had last played as a forward for US Creteil in Ligue 2. He has also played for numerous clubs like Golden Star of Martinique, Nîmes Olympique, Rennes, AS Saint-Etienne, AS Monaco, Lyon, Portsmouth, West Ham United, Doncaster Rovers and Portland Timbers.

Frantz Bertin played for the Juventus youth teams

Frantz Bertin is a Haitian footballer who plays for Greek club Aiginiakos F.C. as a central defender. Born in Paris, he started his career with FC Red Star Saint-Ouen and finished his education in Italy with Juventus FC. In 2003, Bertin moved teams and countries, signing up for Racing de Santander in Spain.

During his two-year stint with the Cantabrian club, he played mainly with the reserves but still contributed with 15 games (13 starts) in the 2004–05 season. He continued playing for CD Tenerife in the second division and Atlético Madrid B and Benidorm CF in the third.

In 2008, he joined FC Luzern in the Swiss Super League but left in the following transfer window, signing with OFI Crete in Greece. Bertin then joined Veria F.C. until the end of the season. He made his Super League debut in an away win against Skoda Xanthi FC. He represented Haiti at the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup in the United States and made his international debut in the national team's final group stage game against Canada.

Cristian Bustos is excited to play in India

On Joining Mumbai City FC, Cristian Bustos said, “I am excited for the opportunity to play outside of Spain for the first time in my career. I feel that I will be a dominant force in the middle of the field for Mumbai City FC. I look forward to the challenges that come my way throughout the upcoming season.”

On being signed by Mumbai City FC, Frederic Piquionne said, “I am excited for the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead. I have heard of the excitement coming from the Indian Super League and of Mumbai City FC in particular and look forward to bringing success to the team.”

On being a part of ISL, Frantz Bertin said, “After consulting with family and close friends within various leagues, I felt that joining the ISL would be the best decision to help me progress in my career, both on and off the field. I am very excited to get a chance to work with Nicolas Anelka as well.”

In ISL 2015, Mumbai City FC, coached by marquee manager and player Anelka, start their campaign against FC Pune City on 5 October.