The holler of ISL 2017 has been sung and franchises are leaving no stone unturned to make this 130-match tournament, the biggest ever sporting event that Indian fans have ever seen. From former European Champions to Champions League greats, we have seen many all-time greats getting signed by Indian Super League clubs but Kerala Blasters have just grabbed hold of a gold mine.
Wes Brown, the former Manchester United defender, has been signed by Sachin Tendulkar co-owned Kerala Blasters for the ISL 2017/18 season and this will give a huge boost to a side that has featured in two finals in the three years of Indian Super League.
Wes Brown has made a total of 362 appearances for United, winning five Premier League titles as well as two Champions League winner’s medals from 1996 to 2011. During the same time period, Wes Brown won a total of 11 major trophies and was part of the Manchester United squad that was named the 2000/01 Premier League PFA Team of the Year.
One of PLs most decorated players, @rmeulensteen1 's own, @WesBrown24 joins the Blasters family. ഇനി കളി മാറും!#KBFC #NammudeSwantham pic.twitter.com/oPvS3lnxEC
— K e r a l a B l a s t e r s F C (@KeralaBlasters) August 15, 2017
Moreover, during the 2008 Champions League final between Manchester United and Chelsea at Moscow, he was an instrumental member of Alex Ferguson’s squad as he delivered a fabulous as well as defense piercing assist for Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal in the final.
After joining Manchester United Academy at the age of 12, Wes Brown went on to win the Jimmy Murphy Academy Player of the season in 1998 and 1999 before featuring in the first team. Then he spent nearly two decades at Old Trafford before Sunderland signed him in the summer of 2011. Wes Brown has played five seasons at the Stadium of Light, bagging a total of 87 appearances for the side. His contract with Championship club Blackburn Rovers has come to an end and now he will start a new journey with Kerala Blasters on the Indian soil.
I Cant wait to play in front of one of the best fans in the world. Kerala, See you soon! #indiansuperleague #newchallenge #excited
— Wes Brown (@WesBrown24) August 15, 2017
As for his national side, Wes Brown is a widely decorated player and has 23 caps for the England national team. He can play in the heart of the defense and is also a capable right-back.
Rene Meulensteen, the manager of Kerala Blasters, who is also a former Manchester United assistant manager, has already worked with Brown during his Old Trafford days and this might end up being the biggest advantage for Sachin Tendulkar Co-owned Blasters as, for the ISL 2017/18 season, Meulensteen is also said to have fixed his eyes on Dimitar Berbatov, another Manchester United superstar and should Kerala Blasters rope in Berbatov, as well, they will automatically rise through the ranks of one of the major title contenders for ISL 2017/18 season, which is going to be the biggest ever domestic league in India.
As for the fans, Premier League has been the most followed soccer season in India and Manchester United enjoys a huge fan base in the country. With the addition of Wes Brown and his could be-partner, Berbatov, Kerala Blasters might end up winning their first ever Indian Super League title.