Giggs Links Up With Ronaldinho

Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs will join Ronaldinho as a marquee player in the inaugural Premier Futsal League.

Ex-Argentina and Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo, and the Pele of futsal, Falcao - a late replacement for the injured Deco - will also take part as star players when the inaugural six-team competition commences in India on July 15.

Giggs' former team-mate Paul Scholes and ex-Real Madrid full-back Michel Salgado complete the marquee names for the league, which will be hosted in Chennai and Goa.

"We are proud to kick-start our inaugural edition as scheduled on July 15 here in Chennai," Premier Futsal co-founder Nithyashree Subban said.

"It was a strategic decision to host the league in just 2 cities - Chennai and Goa - and with 6 franchises. We have managed to secure signatures of players who are the legends of the game and will be seen playing in India in a few days."

Former Barcelona and AC Milan forward Ronaldinho, 36, returned to his native Brazil to play for Fluminense last year after a year-long spell at Mexican side Querataro.

Giggs, one of United's greatest ever players, left the Red Devils at the beginning of this month after 29 illustrious years at the club. He won 13 Premier League titles with the Red Devils as a player before becoming a player-coach under David Moyes in 2013.

When Moyes was sacked less than 12 months later, the Welshman was made interim manager until the appointment of Louis van Gaal, with Giggs acting as the Dutchman's assistant.

Sky Sports News HQ reported last month that Giggs was keen to become a manager in his own right and the 42-year-old confirmed that it in an open letter to the fans a fortnight ago.

During his first press conference as Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho said he would always welcome a Old Trafford return Old Trafford for Giggs.

Credit: Skysports.com