Sacramento Republic FC signs Kaleemullah

KARACHI: American Football Club Sacramento Republic FC has signed a short-term deal with Pakistani-forward Kaleemullah, making Kaleem Pakistan’s first player to sign with a professional US football club.

“Yes, I’ve signed a deal, initially for four months, with Sacramento Republic and I am looking forward for an exciting season with them,” Kaleemullah told Geo News from Sacramento, capital of the US state of California.

Kaleem is due to get Jersey number 15 at the club, where he’s likely to play at least 15 matches in the next four months of the present season.

Before joining Sacramento Republic, Kaleemullah spent the last season with Dordoi Bishkek of Kyrgyzstan where he appeared in 17 matches. He was declared Most Valuable Player & Golden Boot winner after leading the league with 18 goals.

Before his one-year stint with Dordoi Bishkek, Kaleemullah represented KRL in Pakistan’s Premier Football League; he played 94 matches in five seasons, scoring 72 goals.

In 2013, Kaleemullah won the Pakistan Premier Football League Golden Boot after scoring a record 32 goals in a single season. He has been dubbed, “Pakistan’s Messi”.