Jamshedpur FC sign Cameroon defender Andre Bikey

Jamshedpur, August 31: Newly formed ISL franchise Jamshedpur FC have added to their ranks the Cameroonian central defender Andre Bikey as the fifth international signing for 2017-18 ISL season after Tiri, Memo, Kervens Belfort and Sameehg Doutiee.

The 32-year-old central defender is not new to Indian football as he has previously played for North East United in 2015 and FC Pune City in 2016, while this season he was roped in by the Tata Group franchise who are making their ISL debut.

The Cameroonian who has played for clubs like Espanyol B, Reading, Burnley will reunite with his former boss Steve Coppell now a coach at Jamshedpur FC, under whom he played for Reading in his early career, appearing over 70 times.

The defender expressed his delight after signing for the club and stated is eagerness to work with his former boss again.

"I am happy to have signed for Jamshedpur. It's an incredible emotion to be part of the sports legacy of Jamshedpur and its rich football traditions. I am looking forward to work with Steve Coppell again. Steve has been a great influence on me over the years," Bikey said in a statement issued by the club.

Coppell also while talking about the player, heaped praise on the defender and claimed that with this signing he is ready to compete for the Championship.

"I am excited about how the team is shaping up and I am hungry to fight for the championship."

"Andre has proven his quality and will be an asset to the team. His versatility is of high utility and I am looking forward to work with him once again come October," coach Coppell said.

Bikey represented Cameroon in the Beijing Olympics 2008 and is mainly a central defender who can also play in midfield. Before signing for the ISL side he was playing for the fourth tier English football club Port Vale FC.