Kerala: Kerala Blasters FC (KBFC) has announced a three-year contract extension with their young attacking midfielder Sahal Abdul Samad. He was already in contract till 2022 with the club and now it extends till 2025.
Sahal, who was born in Al-Ain, UAE, started playing football when he was eight at the Al-Ethihad Sports Academy in Abu Dhabi. After moving to India he was playing football at the university level in Kannur. His performance helped him to earn the spot at the U-21 Kerala team and later Santosh Trophy. A scout of KBFC picked him up during that time.
“From the very start of my professional career, I have really enjoyed adorning the KBFC crest. My journey with the sport has just begun and I hope to achieve greater feats for the club and for myself in the years to come. This is my state, my people and my home. I’m here to continue,” Sahal said in an interview.
.@sahal_samad നമ്മുടെ സ്വന്തം.. ഇനി #YennumYellow#SahalStays pic.twitter.com/hVYSI75p3b
— K e r a l a B l a s t e r s F C (@KeralaBlasters) August 12, 2020
Sahal has also garnered interest from newly-formed ATK Mohun Bagan for a long time but it seems that’s not happening in the next five seasons. He has made 37 appearances for the club till now since his debut in the 2018-19 season and scored his first ISL goal against Chennaiyan FC. He was also named as the ‘ISL Emerging Player of the Season’ and ‘AIFF Emerging Player of the Season.’
Sahal made his India debut during the Kings Cup last year in Thailand against Curacao.
