Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra are preparing to bring some quality foreign players, including Haiti national striker Kervens Belfort to strengthen their squad for the next season, said an official of the club on Friday. After spending previous season empty handed, the 2013 Bangladesh Premier League champions, have decided to form a strong team for the upcoming season. Belfort, a 22-years old striker, who is a team-mate of two former Russell players Sony Norde and Pascal Millien in the Haiti national team, have already started his formalities to come to Dhaka to undergo his trial with Russell.
Belfort is currently playing for French third tier team Frejus Saint Raphael FC.
Though he is yet to find the back of the net for the French club since joining it in July 2014, Belfort is already a star with his national side having scored seven goals in 15 appearances.
‘Belfort have already started the process of coming to Bangladesh to show his worth in the trial,’ director sports of Russell Saleh Jaman Selim told reporters on Friday.
‘He demanded $17,000 per month but we want to watch him first before taking the decision.’
Selim also informed that a Jamaican striker Akeem Priestley will also join the trial.
The 29-year old Akeem has played for Rovaniemen Palloseura, a top tier Finish league club, demanded $10,000 as monthly salary.
Russell are also negotiating with Damir Ibrich, a Turkish-origin 30-year old attacking midfielder from Bosnia, who played for Malaysian Super League club T-Team FC.
Russell, who were placed sixth in the last edition of Premier League, already appointed Montenegrin coach Dragan Djukanovic, who guided the team in the last part of the season.
Under his guidance, Russell became group champions of the AFC President’s Cup in Colombo in March last year but failed to win any silverware in the domestic competitions.
They have already recruited seven players from the national team—Zahid Hasan Ameli, Zahid Hossain, Mithun Chowdhury, Russell Mahmud Liton, Hemantha Vincent Biswash, Atikur Rahman Meshu and Topu barman.
Sources said a leading corporate house came forward to finance the club, giving it a chance to strengthen the squad.
-With New Age input
