National winger Zahid Hossain decided to stay put with treble-winning side Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra with a record transfer fee for the next season despite his earlier
announcement of joining Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited.
Russell offered the winger Tk 38 lakh which might be the new record fee in the history of the nation’s domestic football.
Mamunul Islam held the previous transfer record with Tk 37 lakh after switching from Russell to Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Limited but now Zahid is the new record holder.
Mohammedan, however, claimed that a contract was signed between Zahid and the Motijheel-based outfit for the forthcoming season and it would be illegal for Zahid to break his commitment.
‘We already have a contract with him and he has no opportunity to break the contract,’ said Lokman Hossain Bhuiyan, member in charge of administration of Mohammedan.
Sheikh Russell president Nurul Alam Chowdhury on the other hand declined to say anything regarding the players’ transfer before the season comes to an end.
‘The players gave us three silverwares so we will try to retain the team for the next season but this is not the right time to discuss about the players’ transfer,’ he said.
Although, Zahid Hossain later validated that he would like to remain at the helm with his current club.
‘I have a conversation with Mohammedan but I did not give any commitment to them. Sheikh Russell proposed me to stay for the next season and they offered me Tk 38 lakh so I decided to stay here [Sheikh Russell],’ said Zahid to a reporter over the phone on Friday.
Russell’s national striker Zahid Hasan Ameli, who was also reportedly set to join Mohammedan in the next season might remain with his old club after receiving a stunning proposal but he refused to talk about this matter due to his wife’s illness.
Ameli’s premature baby died after two days of birth.
-With New Age input
