Denzil Franco | heroisl

DENZIL FRANCO

PRE-ISL

Born in Saligao, 1986, Denzil Franco was coached in school by ace striker and Goa legend Francis D’Souza and was praised as an "outstanding player" when he graduated from the Sesa Football Academy. The strapping right back has an attacking bent of mind and loves to foray deep into opposition territory.

He signed his first professional contract with Mahindra United in 2008, but as the club disbanded he transferred to Churchill Brothers during the transfer window before the 2010-11 I-League season. His first season was hampered with injuries so he only was able to play in eight games during

his first season. Still, when he did come on his play impressed many people and he still was able to earn a national team call up.

During his years in Churchill Brothers he was key player of the team, but failed to score a single goal despite his attacking mentality.

ISL

2014 Season

As the ISL draft pick approached, Denzil Franco was credited as the

fourth most expensive IMG-Reliance contracted player. On July 22,

2014 Franco was drafted by Atletico de Kolkata as their third pick.

Upon signing for the Kolkata-team, Denzil Franco stated it was

"dream come true singing for Kolkata as it's said that in a footballer's

career in India, you have to experience playing in Kolkata for at least

one year."

The 28-year old expressed his delightness to play alongside players

like Luis Garcia and said he tried to learn as much as possible from

the European stars. Franco described Atletico de Kolkatas training

camp in Madrid in August 2014 as "the best experience of my life."

Denzil Franco was elected as coach Habas right back choice as the season started. He started the first four matches where the team went unbeaten. In the fourth matcha against FC Goa on October 23, 2014 Franco was injured and subbed off in the 22nd minute. After the medical reports came in, the management were made aware of the severity of his injury.

It was confirmed that Franco would miss the rest of the season due to an injury on his anterior cruciate ligament. In a brilliant gesture to show support to the Goan player, Atletico de Kolkata players held Denzil’s jersey while coming out of the tunnel on Sunday, similar to what the Brazil side had done in the World Cup semi-finals this year to mark Neymar’s absence.

Luis Garcia also dedicated Atletico de Kolkatas victory against Kerala Blasters on October 26 to Denzil Franco.

After the end of the first season Denzil Franco expressed that he would consider moving back to a Goa-based club and possibly his old club Churchill Brothers. As it turned out Franco was without a club during the winter/spring of 2015.

2015 Season

On May 15, 2015 it was announced that Denzil Franco was one of four players that was retained by Atletico de Kolkata for the second season of ISL.