PLS update: 'Icon' players and coaches auctioned

Robert Pires to play for Howrah Manchester Sports in the PLS

The auction for players and coaches for the upcoming season of PLS took place on Monday, 30th January. Five of the six franchises were already sold yesterday, with Barasat, the costliest of all – sold to a whopping Rs. 25.15 crore.

Barasat, which had a base price of only 80 lakhs, was picked-up by URO Infra Reality India Ltd. The Siliguri franchise was bought by Aajay Consultants at Rs. 18 crore. Kolkata became the third highest franchise, after being bought by the Camelia Group at Rs. 11.5 crores. Syncsys Infotech Ltd got Howrah at Rs 9 crore, while Durgapur was sold at Rs 7.6 crores to Tulip Inofrnet Pvt. Ltd. However, Haldia couldn’t attract any suitors. Thus, the opening season of PLS may see five teams, instead of six.

Former world player of the year and world cup winner, Fabio Cannavaro was sold to the Siliguri franchise for $ 830,000 from a base price of $ 780,000. Hernan Crespo, who once held the World record in transfer fee for his move to Italian giants Lazio, was the top draw of the show, as he became the costliest player of this season’s PLS with a staggering $ 840,000 – bought by Barasat. French world cup winner and Arsenal legend, Robert Pires was sold to Howrah for $800,000 after he was the subject of several bids from different franchises. Liverpool legend, Robbie Fowler Nigerian superstar Jay Jay Okocha was bought by Kolkata and Durgapur respectively.

Samson Siasia and Teitur Thordarson is set to become the most expensive coaches in the inaugural season of PLS for Durgapur and Barasat respectively, at $210,000.

Bhaichung Bhutia may feature for the Barasat franchise along with Hernan Crespo. He was named as the brand ambassador for the Barasat team. If Bhutia, does not play in the second division of I-league, he may play in the PLS. United sikkim coach D Ridder is their sporting director.

However, with only five teams in the PLS this season, there is a huge doubt over the involvement of Argentine defender, Pablo Sorin and English coach, John Barnes. The remaining auction (for Indian players and other new arrivals) will take place on the second week of February.

Here is the final list of the players and coaches auctioned in the day one of the PLS bidding.

Barasat:Teitur Thordarson($210,000) – COACHHernan Crespo( $840000) - ICONPark Byoung-Gyu($90000) – ASIAJoaquin Botero($180000)Christian Lara( $200000)

Kolkata:Peter Reid($200000) – COACHRobbie fowler($530000) – ICONPark Ji Seung($140000) – ASIADaniel Varela($110000)Robert Egbeta($350000)

Howrah:Fernando Couto( $240000) – COACHRobert Pires( $800000) – ICONByun Yoon Chui($115000) – ASIAJose Gabriel Rios($180000)Diego Madreigal( $120000)

Durgapur:Samson Siasia($210,000) – COACHOkocha – ICONKim Bong Kyeom($11500) – ASIAJose Carlos Castillo($80000)Alonso Solis($200000)

Siliguri:Etcheverry($200000) – COACHFabio Cannavaro($830000) – ICONHwang Gyu Hwan – ASIASantino Quaranta($180000)Limberg Gutierrez($180000)