In a desperate move to sign Sheikh Russell’s Haitian playmaker Sony Norde, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club raised their offer to as high as $70,000 for a season,
said club president Monjur Kader on Wednesday.
If Sony, who was instrumental behind Russell’s treble-winning success last season, agrees to the offer it will create a new record in Bangladesh’s domestic football as no other player went even close to the amount.
Sony, a product of the reputed Boca Juniors academy, was offered an additional $20,000 as bonus for four tournaments that Jamal are supposed to play in the upcoming season.
Sony came to Bangladesh after playing in Mexico’s second division league and established his reputation as one of the finest ever footballers to play in Bangladesh’s club football with one match-winning contribution after the other.
Sony received around $35,000 in the previous season from Russell, who won the Independence Cup, Federation Cup and Bangladesh Premier League to emerge as the new powerhouse in domestic football.
Sony expressed his willingness to play in Europe when he left Dhaka in the close season and he is believed to have received a proposal from Indian professional club Sporting De Goa.
‘I offered him [Sony] $70,000 for the upcoming season and also said to him that if he can bring the four crowns for Sheikh Jamal, I will give him an extra $5,000 bonus for each competition,’ said Kader.
‘He is such a great winger and if he agrees with the offer then I am sure we will become the champion next season,’ he added.
Kader also decided to bring back Cameroonian winger Femi Orrunimi, their former footballer, who they hope can create a formidable combination with Sony.
Jamal decided not to retain the services of Nigerian striker Sunday Chizoba and Alfred Emoefe.
‘I gave $5,000 per month to Sunday and Alfred but not get enough service from them,’ said Kader, adding that his club are also weighing in a few other options.
-With New Age input
