Former Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor has signed for Indian super league club Odisha FC from A-League Side Wellington Phoenix.
Steven Taylor started off his youth career with English side Newcastle United. The Defender who initially started off as a striker was shifted to central defense in his academy days. Steven Taylor is also a teammate of former Kerala Blasters defender Peter Ramage.
Having Played more than a decade in the colours of Newcastle United Steven Taylor brings in much needed experience to the relatively young Odisha FC Squad.
Apart from his one month loan spell with Wycombe Wanderers Steven Taylor was with the Magpies for 13 long years. He played 215 matches for Newcastle United. His emotional rollercoaster with the club from Tyneside ended in 2016 when he decided to join MLS Outift Portland Timbers.
After an underwhelming season in the United states Steven Taylor made his come back to England by penning a deal with Ipswich Town. After an uninspiring season with Ipswich Town Steven Taylor’s signature was secured by League one Outfit (English 3rd Division) Peterborough United.
Fortunately for Steven Taylor, signing for peterborough United was a blessing. He was able to regain his form. He racked up 44 appearances for Peterborough United scoring 3 crucial goals in the process. After Redeeming himself with an impressive year with peterborough United Steven Taylor Accepted to join A League side Wellington Phoenix.
Booming with Confidence Steven Taylor Kicked off his A league Career with the Wellington Phoenix in the 18/19 Season. In the following season Steven Taylor was granted the Captains armband for his impressive leadership skills. He made 49 Appearences in 2 Seasons for the side from New Zealand.
The Covid-19 has hit the A League hard financially. The Clubs are forced to let go of their major stars. With Fox Sports also deciding to back out of their A league Broadcast Deal the clubs are left with no option other than to offload their Star players. The Indian Super League Clubs are sensibly pouncing on this opportunity to raid the A league for talent.
A League players were always on the radar of the Indian Super League Clubs eversince Alessandro Del Piero made the switch to India. But now with the Financial troubles of the A League and Mandatory Requirement for an Asian the increased focus of Indian clubs on the A League is understandable.
Mostly on the receiving end of the Indian club Onslaught is the Wellington Phoenix. Last season they lost prolific pair of David Williams and Fijian International Roy Krishna to ATK (Now ATKMB). The Pair scored 29 goals for the wellington Phoenix in 18/19 Campaign With Roy Krishna bagging the honour for most goals in a single season in the Yellow and Black of the Wellington Phoenix with 18 Goals. Their move to India was followed by another Wellington Phoenix player Mandi Sosa as the spaniard joined the Kolkata based outfit Mid Season. Going by the reports Wellington are set to lose 2 more of their star players to the Clubs in India.
With Perth Glory duo Jacob Tratt and Joel chianese making their moves to the Indian Super League Official they are expected to be followed by the A league’s most valued player Gary Hooper and Golden Boot runner up Adam La fondre. The 34 year old English Defender Steven Taylor is now the latest addition to the growing list of A league Talent moving to the Indian Super League.
Odisha FC have been smart in the transfer window so far by getting some great deals over the line. The Clubs Indian Roster mainly Consist of young upcoming prospects like Shubam Sarangi, Samuel Lalmuanpuia, and Vini Rai etc. Odisha FC have an equally exciting Foreign lineup. The Club retained Diawandou Diagne and Manuel Onwu from last season and to add more firepower to the attack they have secured the signatures of Indian Super League Fan Favourite Marcelinho and Brazilian striker Diego Mauricio. Odisha FC had already secured the services of Australian Center back Jacob Tratt. Now the club has found his center back partner in Steven Taylor.
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