Republic FC signs Pakistani national team captain Kaleemullah Khan
Republic FC has agreed to a contract with Pakistani national team captain and forward Kaleemullah Khan, believed to be the first Pakistani-born player to sign with a U.S.-based soccer club.
Kahn, who has spent nearly six weeks on trial with the team, played last season with Dordoi Bishkek, the top professional club in Kyrgyzstan. He was the league MVP and Golden Boot winner after leading the league in scoring in 2014.
Kahn spent five years in the Pakistan Premier League, where he scored 72 goals. He has been a member of Pakistan’s national team since 2011, scoring four goals in 25 matches.
“He’s a scoring sensation in the Far East,” said Republic FC technical director Graham Smith. “He came to us prepared to be judged and made no demands, which speaks to his character. He’s still settling in as far as the Republic way to play and Preki’s coaching philosophy.”
Bill Paterson
This story was originally published June 19, 2015 at 4:13 PM with the headline "Republic FC signs Pakistani national team captain Kaleemullah Khan."