Bengaluru FC have completed the signing of English striker Curtis Main on a one-year deal with an option to extend. Main joins The Blues as a replacement for Roy Krishna. Bengaluru FC’s new No. 9 Main previously played for St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership.
Bengaluru FC unveiled Main as their second foreign signing for the upcoming season. They have already signed Montenegrin Centre-Back Slavko Damjanovic.
Player Profile: Curtis Main:
The 31-year-old England-born Centre-Forward started his professional career with League Two side Darlington FC. In 2011, he made the move to EFL Championship club Middlesbrough, where he spent three years before joining Doncaster Rovers in League One in 2014. Later, he played for Portsmouth, Motherwell FC, Aberdeen FC, Shrewsbury, and St. Mirren.
The 5.8-foot-tall striker won the English 4th-tier Championship with Portsmouth FC in 2016-17. Main also has three Premier League 2 appearances and a goal in the FA Cup. Main has 69 goals and 33 assists in his entire career.
Main’s former coach, Tony Mowbray, spoke highly of him, stating,
“Main’s finishing with both feet is breathtaking at times. Whether the ball drops to his right foot or left foot, he does not hesitate. Physicality is not going to be an issue for Curtis throughout his career. He is a boy who spends a lot of time looking after his physique, and he is very very strong.”
Coach’s Corner and Player’s Thoughts:
According to Simon Grayson, “Main was desperate to come to India.”
About this new challenge, an excited Curtis Main said,
“I’m very excited and honored to be part of such a great club. I had a few conversations with the manager, and I really liked how they went. He has a great reputation and has thus far done an excellent job at the club, and hopefully I can come in and build on the success.”
He added,
“I’m looking forward to joining the team and getting started in front of the passionate fans that I’ve heard so much about.”
The Bengaluru FC Head coach, Grayson, said,
“We’re delighted to sign Curtis, who is a player with a lot of experience in England and Scotland. He did very well last year for St Mirren and is a whole-hearted striker who works extremely hard for his team, has good hold-up play, and will be a valuable asset.”
Coach added:
“He was desperate to come to India despite having the opportunity to sign longer contracts in the UK, as he wanted a new challenge. Bengaluru, as a city and a football club, really suited him, and I’m sure he’ll contribute a lot of goals and assists while he’s here.”
How will Curtis Main be helpful for The Blues?
As BFC has let go of their Foreign striker, Roy Krishna, to Odisha FC, they are in search of a classic No. 9. Main’s versatility, aerial strength, physicality, and game awareness make him perfectly suited for Bengaluru. If Main can deliver according to his potential, then The Blues will have a phenomenal option for their striking force.
Grayson has the option to field him as a lone striker in a 4-3-3 system. He may also pair Main alongside Sunil Chhetri or Sivasakthi Narayanan in his preferred 3-5-2 formation.
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