In their quest to bring all trophies of the upcoming season home, three-time Bangladesh League champions Abahani completed their player registration formalities yesterday by roping in six national players.
Of the nine new recruits, defenders Mohammad Sujan, Wali Faisal, striker Enamul Haque and midfielder Shahedul Alam Shahed returned to their old outfit after two seasons while star winger Zahid Hossain, midfielder Arman Aziz and striker Towhidul Alam will wear the Sky Blue jerseys for the first time in their football careers.
Apart from the new recruits, Abahani retained the services of 13 players including national goalkeeper Shahidul Alam Sohel, Pranotosh Kumar and Mamun Mia, who were all key components of Abahani's Federation Cup and Super Cup triumphs last season.
The Dhanmondi-based outfit clinched the first three titles of the professional football league but had to be content with fourth position last season. But this time they are dreaming of winning all four competitions -- Federation Cup, Independence Cup, Bangladesh League and Super Cup.
“We retained the services of those players who played in the starting eleven last season and then strengthened the squad by roping in some important players.
“I hope the players will be able to meet the expectations of the club management by winning all titles in the upcoming season,” said Abahani football manager Satyajit Das Rupu during the players' registration at the BFF House yesterday.
Rupu said that during the last season Abahani suffered from a lack of quality substitute players.
The former footballer said that Abahani's finest side is one with a strong reserve bench, which would help them to avoid any trouble in the upcoming season.
He said that they are trying to sign up some quality foreign recruits by mid-December.
Rupu also hoped that a foreign coach would arrive in the first week of December to take charge of Abahani.
SQUAD: Ziaur Rahman, Shahidul Alam Shohel, Ibul Siraji, Pranotosh Kumar, Imtiaz Sultan Jitu, Robin, Choumrin Rakhin, Nazrul Islam, Linkon, Mamun Mia, Shakawat Hossain Rony, Mohammad Ali, Saikat Bhouwmik, Sujon, Wali Faisal, Zahid Hossain, Nasirul Islam, Zahid Hossain, Shahedul Alam, Enamul Haque, Arman Aziz, Towhidul Alam and Nurul Karim.