Roger Johnson eyes Indian Super League title win with FC Pune City

Former Wolves defender Roger Johnson insists he has not gone to India for a holiday and says his aim is to win the Super League title with new side FC Pune City.

The centre-back whose previous clubs include West Ham, Birmingham and Cardiff, has signed up to play for the Maharashtra side in the second edition of the Indian Super League (ISL).

With almost 500 appearances in the Premier League and Football League to his name, Johnson hopes his experience of playing in England can help Pune go on and become this year's ISL champions.

"I was looking for a new challenge and had offers from a few other countries across the world," Johnson said.

"But this is something that is totally out of my comfort zone. I have never been to that side of the world. I've played in England my whole career and I have been fortunate enough to play at some big clubs and at the top level.

"I don't really see it as a step up or a step down. I see it as a new adventure. I want to embrace it and enjoy it, but the main thing is to go out there and win this tournament and win this league.

"That's what I want to do. I'm not going over to have a bit of fun. I am going for one reason and one reason only and that is to win the competition.

"I hate to lose. Even in training I don't like losing games, so my job will be to make sure everyone is doing their job around me and try to instill that winning mentality in the players, that we should do anything, that we should put our lives on the line for a win.

"That is certainly what I am going try and do."

Johnson will play under David Platt, who was appointed Pune manager in June, and the 32-year-old can count ex-England left-back Nicky Shorey and former Everton goalkeeper Steve Simonsen among his new team-mates.

"I feel at home playing for Pune," Johnson said. "It would have been tough turning out for a team [consisting] of just Indian players and it has certainly helped having a few other English players out here.

"We have a very talented bunch of players with a good mix of international and Indian players.

"And David Platt's career speaks for itself. To play for him is a huge honour. When I knew he was in charge it made going there something I wanted to do even more. It was no-brainer in the end."