Franchises retain 41 Indian footballers for 2015 ISL

The Indian Super League (ISL) franchises have retained a total of 41 footballers and signed 23 more from the open market in a step towards building their respective squads for the second edition of the tournament later this year.

All the eight franchises have submitted on Friday, within the stipulated deadline, the list of retained Indian players as well as open market signings, an ISL release said on Sunday.

The franchises had a retention quota of <g data-gr-id="18">minimum</g> of one and maximum of six Indian players.

Franchises <g data-gr-id="27">Chennaiyin</g> FC, FC Goa, FC Pune City and Kerala Blasters FC have exercised the maximum allowed retention clause by retaining six Indian players each from their previous squad.

Delhi Dynamos and NorthEast United FC have retained five each, defending champions Atletico de Kolkata retained four players and Mumbai City FC continued the services of three.

Each franchise is allowed to have a squad of 22, comprising 13 Indian and 9 international players including one marquee signing. Additionally, a franchise can sign 3 more players from the open 

market which can include <g data-gr-id="22">maximum</g> of 2 international player.

Indian player signings will be completed in the month of July through an auction followed by <g data-gr-id="26">draft</g> of unsigned players. The 2015 ISL is scheduled to kick-off in September and stretch till December 2015.