Chennai: Former Indian Super League champions Chennaiyin FC (CFC) have signed Kyrgyz forward Mirlan Murzaev ahead of the upcoming season on Sunday. As per reports, the 31-year-old penned a one-year deal and also became the first player from Kyrgyzstan to feature in the ISL.
“I’m just very very happy to join Chennaiyin FC. I can’t wait for the training, and season to start. I look forward to representing all the fans from Tamil Nadu,” Mirlan added on the move.
Foreigner update ✅⏳
Announce Mirlan ✅😉Adding more firepower with Mirlan 🔥#AllInForChennaiyin #VarugaMirlan #AattamAarambam pic.twitter.com/W5PUHBZnqb
— Chennaiyin FC 🏆🏆 (@ChennaiyinFC) August 1, 2021
Standing at six feet, Murzaev is a traditional target man, having been a professional for over a decade and also the top goalscorer for his national side. He started his career with FK Dordoi Bishkek, one of the top clubs in his homeland, before having spells with the likes Lokomotiv Moscow II in Russia, Denizlispor and FK Kara-Balta. He returned back to his homeland with Dordoi in 2019-20, emerging as the top scorer with 10 goals from 13 games while guiding the club to the league title.
Incidentally, this will be not his first time in India. He already had visited India in 2009, during the Nehru Cup in New Delhi and also scored a goal against the hosts. Last month Mirlan struck a hat-trick against Myanmar during Kyrgyzstan’s 8-1 demolition in the qualifying match for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The inclusion of Mirlan will add more firepower to ‘Marina Machans’ frontline who have already signed Jobby Justin and Rahim Ali.
