Kochi: Former Manchester United goalkeeper Paul Rachubka has become the latest addition to Kerala Blasters ahead of the 2017-18 Indian Super League (ISL) season.
The 33-year-old, who has also had spells with Huddersfield Town, Blackpool, Leeds and Oldham Athletic, is the sixth foreign player to be signed by the Kochi-based franchise for the fourth edition of the league.
The club has roped in Ghanaian attacking midfielder Courage Pekuson, Serbian defender Nemanja Lakic-Pesic, and former Manchester United stars Dimitar Berbatov and Wes Brown, after announcing the return of Canadian striker Iain Hume.
Blasters are understood to be in advanced talks with Brazilian attacking midfielder Julio Cesar Baptista who has played for to clubs such as Real Madrid, Arsenal and AS Roma.
With the signing of Berbatov, Brown and Rachubka, it has become obvious that Blasters would be having a distinct ‘Manchester United flavor’ to their side this season.
It is believed that new head coach Rene Meulensteen, who was the ‘skill development’ coach under Sir Alex Ferguson at the Old Trafford, has been the major influence in the Yellows going for the three former Manchester United players.
Thirty-five-year-old Baptista, who can don the dual roles of attacking midfielder and forward, began his career as defensive midfielder for his hometown squad Sao Paulo FC. Later, he turned up for different teams in Spanish, English and Italian leagues including Sevilla, Arsenal, Roma, Malaga, and Brazilian first division club Cruzeiro.
Baptista, who is nicknamed ‘The Beast’ due to having a similar last name to professional wrestler Dave Bautista, has 47 caps with the national side and has netted five goals.
Belfort to play for Jamshedpur FC
Meanwhile, Haitian international Kervens Belfort, who featured for Kerala Blasters in the previous season, has been signed by ISL new entrants Jamshedpur FC, coached by former Blasters gaffer Steve Coppell.
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