Pires excited by ´Indian adventure´

Former France international Robert Pires has revealed his excitement ahead of next month’s launch of the new Indian premiership league.

Based on the country’s successful and innovative cricket competition, the Indian Premier League, Pires and a host of international-renowned footballers will take part in an auction in Kolkata as six clubs bid to land their respective superstars.

Pires, who is currently out of contract after one season at Aston Villa, told L’Equipe that he was ready for the challenge of playing in the sub-continent.

“Since I had nothing in Europe, why not try something completely unknown? I’ve never been over there,” he said.

He continued: “I am proud to be the first Frenchman to go and play there. And eight weeks is nothing.”

It has been announced each team will be allocated a budget of two million euros in the inaugural season and Pires has immediately proclaimed his lofty salary over the duration of the competition.

“If my (club) president likes me, it could be 790,000 euros. It is a lot of money. I’m not going to complain about that am I?” he said. “But I’m not going there as a tourist. It’s a new adventure.”

The development of the league has been driven by the Celebrity Management Group (CMG) in co-operation with the Indian Football Association.

CMG executive director Bhaswar Goswami has already stated his desire to increase the appeal of the league amongst Indian football fans by introducing big-name players from Europe.