Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) champion Bashundhara Kings completed signing formalities with Iranian defender Khaled Shafiei.
The club’s president and vice-president of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Imrul Hassan signed the contracts on behalf of Kings in a signing ceremony, held in the Bashundhara Residential Area on Sunday.
“We were looking for a good defender to strengthen our defence. I have got many biodatas, but chose him [Khaled] because I feel he is more worthy than others. There is no need to test him observing his practices,” Imrul told the reporters during the programme.
“Bashundhara Kings are the best and most popular team in Bangladesh. Kings keep trust in me; now it is my responsibility to give them good in return. I will try to give trophies to Kings fans,” said Khaled Shafiei.
The 33-year-old Iranian defender, who has arrived in Dhaka on Saturday, joined the Bangladeshi side on a one-year contract from former Persian Gulf Pro League (PGPL) champions and former AFC Champions League runners-up Sepahan Sport Club. He is expected to arrive in Dhaka next month.
According to a website named ‘Transfermarkt’ claimed that the veteran Iranian defender joined Kings with the market value of euro 500 thousand or approximately Tk 50,20,7531.50.
Khaled also played for top Iranian clubs Zob Ahan Esfahan FC, Tractor SC, Gostaresh Foulad FC, Fajr Sepasi Shiraz FC, Naft Tehran FC, Kowsar Lorestan FC and former K League 1 champions FC Seoul.
The BPL Champions earlier recruited two new Brazilian midfielders -- Jonathan da Silveira Fernandes Reis and Robson Azevedo da Silva Robinho -- last month. The ‘Transfermarkt’ claimed both Fernandes and Robinho joined Kings for a transfer fee of euro 725 thousand each or approximately Tk 72, 670,317 which is the highest paid transfer amount for any foreign player in Bangladesh.
The Bangladeshi side released their Argentine forward Hernan Barcos as his 10-month-contract ended this month. The Argentine star Hernan Barcos joined the BPL champions for euro 500 thousand or approximately Tk 50,408, 597.
Imrul further said that they were trying to find a good replacement for Barcos. “Barcos is undoubtedly a good player. We’ve biodatas of some Argentine and Brazilian strikers. Hopefully, the vacancy will be filled up soon,” he added.
BDST: 1230 HRS, OCT 19, 2020
SMS
