After 21 years, Indian football is going to witness another footballer from Iran. The I-League champions Churchill Brothers are set to rope in 27-year-old Zair who currently plays for Shahin FC in Iran’s second division league.

The Churchill management is impressed with whatever they have seen of Zair in CD. “He has an excellent left foot and a great passing ability. We will enter into an agreement with him once he gets the visa and is cleared by his old club,” Churchill Brothers president Churchill Alemao said.

Coach Carlos Silva too sounds excited. “If he can match whatever we have seen in the video clippings, he is going to be a lethal weapon. His presence in the midfield will create more opportunities for Okolie Odafe upfront,” he said.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has allowed the I-League clubs to take four foreigners but one of them has to be from an Asian country and Zair, who is expected to arrive in Goa next week, will be recruited on Asian quota. He, however, is unlikely to play in the IFA Shield that starts from August 28. The club has decided to play two foreigners, Odafe and Felix, in that tournament.

Silva is taking the IFA Shield and the Durand Cup, which follows the Kolkata event, as preparations for the I-League. So, he will pick his players on rotation.

Meanwhile, a new kid on the block, 20-year-old Durga Boro who has joined the Goans from Oil India, has impressed one and all including the coach.

... contd.