ATK Mohun Bagan’s star signing Florentin Pogba arrived here on Sunday morning and was at the club ground in the afternoon for a pre-season training session.

Florentin, the elder brother of France World Cup winner Paul Pogba, generated huge interest worldwide when he decided to sign for ATK Mohun Bagan in June.

“When my agent said ATK Mohun Bagan were looking for a central defender I thought why not take a chance? I love challenges and that’s why I am here. I knew the likes of Nicolas Anelka, and Robert Pires have plied their trade in the ISL. So that also played a part in my decision,” he said during a media interaction on Sunday.

Pogba’s first tournament in the ATK Mohun Bagan shirt will be the Durand Cup which begins on August 16. The Derby against arch-rivals East Bengal is slated for August 28 and he is waiting to have a go at Stephen Constantine’s men. He, however, didn’t know that the Derby has been rescheduled from the earlier date of August 16.

“I have heard about the Calcutta Derby. East Bengal are a famous club and I am looking forward to playing against them. I am not new to Derby clashes. During my days with Saint-Etienne (Ligue 1 club) I have played against Lyon. I know what is at stake when two city rivals face each other.”

Despite being a defender, Pogba is a fan of Argentine Lionel Messi. “That’s because I started as a striker, then shifted to the winger position. Once a defender got injured and the coach asked me to play at the back. From there my journey as a defender began,” he said.

Asked if his celebrated brother would be here to watch him play at some point in time, Pogba said: “This season is packed. The domestic commitment and then the Qatar World Cup. It will be difficult. But if manages to take some time out and come to watch me play it will be nice.”