Indian Super League side ATK and I-League team Mohun Bagan have completed their merger and this will see the two teams compete as one from next season onwards in the ISL. The deal was announced on January 16, 2020 (Thursday) at the Mohun Bagan club in Kolkata where officials from both the teams were present. This merger will see the RPSG Group, which owns and runs ATK FC acquire a major shareholding in the I-League club. This move will see the two teams merge as one identity and enter the cash-rich league. Mohun Bagan, ATK Will Be Torchbearers of Indian Football: Sourav Ganguly.

One of the most historic developments in Indian football took place on Thursday as two-time ISL champions ATK and former I-League champions Mohun Bagan announced their merger. The two teams will unite as one and the new football club will have the brand names of both sides and is widely expected to be called as ‘ATK Mohun Bagan Football Club’. RP-Sanjiv Goenka (RPSG) Group will become 80 per cent majority shareholders along with Mohun Bagan Football Club Private Limited (India) owning the other 20 per cent. AIFF president Praful Patel also congratulated the two clubs and wished them the best for their future. ‘I congratulate the fans of legendary Mohun Bagan club and ISL club ATK on the merger. I am sure officials of both clubs have kept the best interests of fans and the larger interest of Indian football in mind while arriving at a well thought out decision’ Patel said. ‘Personally, I feel that when tradition and legacy is backed by corporate backing, magic can be created. I wish the new merged entity all the very best in the future’ he added.

The 130-year-old club finally enters the ever-growing footballing league in India after joining hand with two-time ISL champions. The newly formed will come into existence in June and will take part in the 2020-21 edition of the Indian Super League.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 17, 2020 10:40 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).