Happy to be back in my second home, says U Mumba's Fazel

Iranian defender Fazel Atrachali became the first overseas player in PKL history to be bought for Rs 1 crore.

Fazel Atrachali, right, became the first player in PKL history to be bought for Rs 1 crore.

After becoming the most expensive overseas player in the history of Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), an elated Iranian Fazel Atrachali expressed pleasure on being picked by U Mumba. 

The Iranian was picked by the Mumbai-based franchise for Rs 1 crore, surpassing the Rs 93 lakh UP Yoddhas paid for Nitin Tomar last season. 

"I am very happy to be back in my second home - U Mumba. I have immense respect for the team because it is where it all began for me," Atrachali said.

Read: Monu Goyat becomes most expensive PKL player

"The fact that I beat the record for the highest bid in Pro Kabaddi is truly an incredible feeling," he added. 

Meanwhile, U-Mumba team owner Ronnie Screwvala explained the reason for paying a a hefty amount to secure the Iranian defender. 

"We wanted to be strong in defence. We had an extremely strong defence in season 1 and season 2 and that was part of the reason why we bargained for Fazel so fiercely," said Ronnie. 

"Fazel is someone who has played with us and we are quite happy to have him back. We wanted to be sure that we got who we wanted rather than going right till the end and then have to hastily pick a player," added he.