New Delhi, Oct 15 (UNI) ISL fabourites Chennaiyin FC have completed the signing of Fatkhulo Fatkhulloev on a free transfer for the 2020-21 season.
The 30-year-old winger who can operate on either flank, is all set for
a first stint in India with tons of experience.
Fatkhulloev is central Asian country Tajikistan’s most-capped
international with 68 senior appearances so far,
and he joined CFC after a spell at FK Khujand in the Tajik top flight.
The ISL guidelines for the new season stipulate each team to have at
least one Asian player among their foreign contingent, and Fatkhulloev
fulfils that criteria.
“I have heard a lot about Chennaiyin, seen many matches from previous
seasons. CFC is one of the biggest clubs in India with fantastic fans.
So when the opportunity arose to make the move, I didn’t think twice.
I am really excited about meeting my new teammates, and hopefully
delivering a good brand of football with them, which helps us compete
for the ISL title,” said an eager Fatkhulloev from the city of
Dushanbe in Tajikistan.
“In Fatkhulo (Fatkhulloev), we are signing an experienced professional
who has proven his mettle for club and country. He is yet another
player who fits our mould of versatility, capable of performing on
both wings, and even down the middle. He has won all the major honours
back home in Tajikistan, so an added advantage is the winning
mentality he will bring to the table,” said Chennaiyin FC Head Coach
Csaba László as Fatkhulloev put pen to paper at CFC.
Fatkhulloev was a key member of the Tajikistan squad that finished
third in the 2006 U-17 Asian Championship, scoring in the third-place
playoff win against Syria. He was also pivotal in helping Tajikistan
reach the round-of-16 stage of the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup, with
Fatkhulloev netting in the group stage victory over USA.
At the senior international level, he has nine goals in 68
appearances, including two strikes against India – in the 2008 AFC
Challenge Cup final defeat and in a 2013 international friendly win.
At club level, Fatkhulloev spent the majority of his senior
professional career at FC Istiklol, with whom he won an impressive six
Tajik top flight championships and five Tajik Cup titles during an
initial eight-year stay. He also helped Istiklol reach the AFC Cup
final twice during that period.
Following a short stay to Indonesian club Persela Lamongan,
Fatkhulloev returned to Istiklol in 2018. Over two seasons, he added a
Tajik League and Tajik Cup triumph each to his honours, before making
the move to Uzbekistan Super League side FK Buxoro for a brief spell.
Returning to his homeland earlier this year, Fatkhulloev most recently
featured for FK Khujand. He notched four goals and three assists for
Khujand as they finished runners-up in the 2020 Tajik League season
that concluded earlier this month.
Chennaiyin FC is an Indian Super League club based in Chennai and
co-owned by Mrs. Vita Dani, Mr. Abhishek Bachchan and Mr. MS Dhoni.
Chennaiyin FC has won the ISL in 2015 and 2017-18. Chennaiyin FC is
the first ISL team to qualify for the AFC Cup.
UNI XC-PC AND