Gokulam Kerala sign former Ghana int'l Mohamed Awal on one-year deal

The defender has ample experience as he boasts of having played in numerous leagues in Asia and Africa.

I-League side Gokulam Kerala have completed the signing of Mohamed Awal, Khel Now can confirm. The former Ghana international has put pen to paper on a deal that will see him play for the Malabarians in the upcoming 2020-21 season.

"Gokulam Kerala FC have completed the signing of Mohamed Awal. The centre-back from Ghana agreed terms on a one-year deal at the club," a source close to the developments informed Khel Now. We also understand that the player has already been introduced to his new teammates, after the Kozhikkode-based outfit started to hold their pre-season training activities online in light of the restrictions caused by COVID-19.

Mohamed Awal began his career at the Feyenoord Football Academy in Fetteh, Ghana, from where he joined ASEC Mimosas on loan in 2010. He returned to the Dutch club's academy at the end of the same year, from where he was sold to Asante Kotoko shortly afterwards. The defender's first high-profile move came in August 2012, when he joined South African Premier Soccer League club Maritzburg United. He appeared in 61 matches for them across three seasons, before signing for Al-Shabab FC, a club that features in the Saudi Pro League.

Stints with Moroccan side Raja Club Athletic Casablanca, UAE-based Al-Fahaheel SC, Saudi club Al-Ansar and Ethiopian side Wolkite City then followed for the defender. Overall, he has made over 100 professional appearances for various clubs, including six in the AFC Champions League for Al-Shabab in 2015. He has also registered two goals and three assists in his club career to date.

Awal was called up for the Ghana national team for the first time in 2010 and has since played in six matches for them. The 32-year-old was also a part of their squad in the Africa Cup of Nations (2013 and 2015) and the 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

Meanwhile, Gokulam Kerala are all geared up to improve on their mediocre sixth-place finish in the I-League last season. Ahead of the upcoming campaign, they have already made some important announcements like that of Vincenzo Alberto Annese as the new head coach, apart from the signings of Rowilson Rodrigues, Deepak Devrani, Shayan Roy and Faslu Rahman among others.

More signings and announcements - like that of Ajin Tom, as reported previously by Khel Now - can be expected from them in the days to come.

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