KARACHI: Sarcramento Republic FC, an American professional football team in California, is likely to contract with Pakistan captain and forward striker Kaleemullah Khan making him the first Pakistani-born player to sign a contract with a professional US-based club.

The 23-year-old versatile attacker prides with winning Kyrgyzstan’s premier football league title with FC Dordoi Bishek in 2014. He also picked up the Golden Boot award in the tournament, scoring 16 goals in 17 appearances.

“The signing of Kaleemullah demonstrates the continued mission of Republic FC to bring the best players from around the world to out Capital City,” said Republic FC Technical Director Graham Smith.

Kaleemullah spent last season with Dordoi Bishkek of the Shoro Top League and now he joins Republic FC. For Dordoi Bishkek, Kaleemullah appeared in 17 matches and ended with MVP and Golden Boot winner after leading the league in scoring with 18 goals in 2014.

Prior to his one-year spell in Kyrgyzstan, the Pakistan striker appeared in 94 matches in five Pakistan Premier League seasons, scoring 72 goals. As he ended with record 31 goals including a hat tricks, Kaleemullah won the Pakistan Premier League Golden Boot.

With the signing of Kaleemullah, Republic FC players now represent 12 different countries, from five different continents.—Agencies

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2015

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