Italy's World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro, former Argentina skipper Juan Pablo Sorin and Frenchman Robert Pires are set to feature in an Indian football competition that hopes to replicate the success of cricket's Indian Premier League (IPL).
Some 30 players and six coaches from abroad will be auctioned off in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata for the February the 25th to April the 8th league.
Other signed-up players - all at the end of their careers - include Portuguese midfielder Maniche, former Nigeria international Jay-Jay Okocha, ex-Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler, former Spain striker Fernando Morientes and Argentine Hernan Crespo.
CMG has signed a 30-year deal with the Indian Football Association for the league and has floated tenders for franchises.
Cricket's IPL dazzled fans with its exciting Twenty20 format, player auctions, post-game parties and heavy advertising and now soccer - which has failed to produce top-class Indian players - is poised for a similar makeover.
