Chennai: Chennaiyin FC have signed a Bosnia and Herzegovinan center-back Enes Sipovic for the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) season. The towering 6’6” defender has joined the two-time champions on a free transfer after a stint at Qatar top-flight side Umm Salal SC. Sipović is CFC’s third foreign signing this season.
'Enes Sipović has all the qualities to succeed at CFC and in the @IndSuperLeague. An imposing presence in the air and extremely comfortable on the ball.' 💪🏽
— Chennaiyin FC 🏆🏆 (@ChennaiyinFC) September 21, 2020
Know more about our new center-back right here 👉🏽 https://t.co/XlNnL2kcuT#VanakkamEnes #AllInForChennaiyin
Sipović is a former Bosnia and Herzegovina U-21 international who came through the youth ranks of FK Željezničar in Sarajevo, who have produced the likes of striker Edin Džeko. Sipović then spent six years at Oțelul Galați in Romania, with whom he won the 2010-11 Romanian top-division championship title. Interestingly, Sipović came up against CFC’s skipper from last season Lucian Goian during his time in the Romanian Liga 1.
Following Oțelul, Sipović enjoyed stints in Belgium (K.V.C. Westerlo) and Morocco (Ittihad Tanger & RS Berkane) before a first foray into Asia with Saudi Arabia’s Ohod Club. He then returned for a short spell with his alma mater FK Željezničar before turning out for Umm Salal in Qatar last season.
Sipović, who just turned 30 last week and will be the first Bosnian to feature in the ISL and excited about playing in India. “I was instinctive that India will be my next destination. I am very happy to be part of such a beautiful club. I have been following Chennaiyin since its very first season in 2014 under Marco Materazzi, and I am aware that it is a team that has a tremendous fanbase and is incredibly successful. I am already very excited for the new season. It will be a great experience, I am sure,” said a buzzing Sipović from the Bosnian capital city of Sarajevo, his hometown.
“Enes (Sipović) has all the qualities to succeed at CFC and in the ISL. He is an imposing presence in the air with his height and is extremely comfortable with the ball at his feet. I am sure he will strike a great partnership with Eli Sabiá in defence and will be the perfect addition to our squad in terms of guiding our Indian defenders as well. He has experience of playing in Asia, specifically in more extreme conditions like in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which I am certain will hold him in good stead in India,” said Chennaiyin’s man-in-charge Csaba László on his first foreign recruit since taking charge.
