ATK Mohun Bagan has decided to extend Kiyan Nassiri’s contract by two years which will keep him at the club till the end of the 2023-24 season. The youngster had hogged the limelight when he had scored a hat-trick in the second half in the Kolkata derby clash against SC East Bengal in the recently concluded Hero Indian Super League 2021-22 season.
The 21-year-old is hungry to once again prove his mettle and deliver his best for the Mariners. Nassiri admitted that he is still to make his International debut and he is looking forward to giving his best in the AFC Cup. ATK Mohun Bagan has an AFC Cup match on April 12 at Yuva Bharati and the team will begin its preparation for the same on April 1.
“Even though I have scored goals in the Hero ISL, I am yet to strike in an international match. If I get an opportunity to play in front of a packed Salt Lake Stadium, I would aim to score a goal and help my team win,” said Kiyan Nassiri after signing over the dotted line.
Kiyan scored a total of three goals in Hero ISL 2021-22 season in the 13 matches he played for ATK Mohun Bagan. Meanwhile, with only three foreign players allowed in the final XI of the AFC competition, the onus will fall on the shoulders of Indian players to deliver the goods.
“ATK Mohun Bagan is one of the biggest clubs in India. Their head coach wants me to wear the prestigious jersey for the next season as well, which is an achievement in itself. I need to improve myself further. I am waiting for the day when I get an opportunity to play for ATK Mohun Bagan at the Salt Lake Stadium,” stated Nassiri.
“The hat-trick in the last Kolkata Derby is now past. Now, I am looking forward to performing well in the next season. I need to help my team win matches. The head coach and the senior players encourage me constantly to step up my level, which is icing on the cake.”
ATK Mohun Bagan will play the second preliminary round of the AFC Cup at Salt Lake Stadium on 12th April but their opponents are yet to be decided.
