Bengaluru FC signs Fijian striker Roy Krishna
By Bibhu Ray
(The Quiver) : On Monday, Bengaluru FC announced the signing of a two-year contract with Fiji international striker Roy Krishna, which will add more firepower to their frontline. The 34-year-old Krishna, who captains Fiji and has most goals and appearances for his country, has appeared for his country, had previously turned out for ATK FC and ATK Mohan Bagan in the Indian Super League.
Krishna started his professional career as a teenager with the local team Labasa. In 2008, he made his first international move by signing with Waitakere United of the New Zealand Football Championship. Krishna scored 55 goals in 75 games over the course of his six seasons at Waitakere, winning the NZFC Golden Boot in 2012–13.
After a brief stay at Auckland City, where he scored against Raja Casablanca in a FIFA Club World Cup playoff to become the first Fijian to score in the tournament’s final, Krishna moved once more, this time to Australia, where he joined Wellington Phoenix.
“We wanted to bring Roy to Bengaluru FC the moment we knew he was available. There were hosts of clubs within the league and outside who were in the running to sign him,” said BFC Director Parth Jindal.
Krishna who is an ambassador for the Oceania Football Confederation, represented Fiji at the U-20 and U-23 levels, before making his debut for the senior national team at the 2007 South Pacific games.
When we played against Bengaluru FC, they have always been a tough opponent and we knew it wouldn’t be a walk in the park. We had a different strategy when we face BFC. I am glad that I don’t have to worry about taking on Bengaluru FC as a opponent, and I get to be a part of the BFC legacy. Krishna said.
In his three seasons in ISL, Krishna has 36 goals and 18 assists and was joint top-scorer in the League twice – in 2019-20 with 15 goals as ATK lifted the ISL trophy and in 2020-21 with 14 goals, as ATK Mohan Bagan reached the final.
