ISL: Odisha FC ropes in former EPL defender Steven Taylor

Former Newcastle United centre-back Steven Taylor has agreed on a one-year deal with an option to extend it for a second year with ISL club Odisha FC.

Making his senior club debut with Newcastle United in the 2003-04 season, Steven Taylor played for more than a decade in the Premier League.

Odisha FC on Wednesday signed former English Premier League (EPL) defender Steven Taylor ahead of the seventh edition of the Indian Super League (ISL).

The centre-back has agreed on a one-year deal with an option to extend it for a second year.

Making his senior club debut with English club Newcastle United in the 2003-04 season, the 34-year-old played for more than a decade in the Premier League before making a move to American professional club Portland Timbers in 2016.

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The London-born footballer has also represented England B and other English clubs like Wycombe Wanderers FC, Ipswich Town FC and Peterborough United FC. He's played age-group tournaments for England’s U-16, U-17, U-20 and U-21 teams.

Before joining the Bhubaneswar-based ISL team, Taylor was the captain of New Zealand’s Wellington Phoenix FC which competes in the A-League.

His towering presence in the defence helped the Wellington side to a third-place finish during the last season. Steven clocked 49 games for the A-League side over two seasons and became a fan favorite .

Welcoming the new centre-back, Odisha FC head coach Stuart Baxter said, “Steven’s credentials speak for themselves, but more than that we are bringing leadership qualities into our young squad. He is an exceptional defender and is a presence that will give the whole team a whole boost.”