Bangalore, Sept 20: Former Italian defender and 2006 World Cup winner Marco Materazzi arrived in Bangalore on Saturday night to join Chennaiyin FC for the Indian Super League (ISL) football which starts on October 12.

Materazzi is Chennai franchise's player-manager and will join his team-mates to train here in the city. The Italian was infamously head-butted by French great Zinedane Zidane in the 2006 FIFA World Cup final in Germany. Materazzi scored a goal in that final and Italy went on to take the trophy beating France 5-3 on penalties (Materazzi also scored the second penalty in the shoot-out).

The 41-year-old were welcomed by a group of young football fans at the Kempegowda International Airport tonight. The youngsters were holding posters of the Italian. He posed for pictures for his fans and also signed autographs.

Materazzi's World Cup winning team-mate Alessandro Del Piero arrived in India two days ago. He has been signed up by Delhi Dynamos FC as their marquee player.

Chennai have former Manchester United midfielder Bojan Djordjic of Sweden and former French defender Bernard Mendy among others who are already training in Bangalore.

Chennai franchise is co-owned by Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan. There are 8 teams in the league. Kerala Blasters FC is co-owned by batting legend Sachin Tendulkar.

Chennaiyin launch their ISL campaign against FC Goa on October 16 in an away match.

The league concludes on December 20.

OneIndia News