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I-League

Rajasthan United bolster attack by signing Saido Berahino

Published at :August 23, 2024 at 2:18 PM
Modified at :August 23, 2024 at 3:38 PM
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Uttiyo Sarkar

The former West Brom star has drawn praise from coaching titans Gareth Southgate and Tony Pulis.

Rajasthan United (RUFC) have confirmed the blockbuster signing of former West Bromwich Albion forward Saido Berahino ahead of the 2024-25 I-League campaign. The club announced the signing of the experienced striker on their social media as they look to keep building a strong team that can challenge for the league title in the upcoming campaign.

The Desert Warriors appear to be intent on building a formidable squad after having announced Uruguayan gaffer Walter Caprile as their head coach for the 2024-25 campaign. But the acquisition of Berahino marks a statement of intent and proof that the I-League, despite being the second tier in Indian Football, has clubs capable of attracting quality foreign players.

Rajasthan United FC chairman Krishan Kumar Tak said, “We are excited to welcome Saido Berahino to Rajasthan United FC. His experience in top-flight football, including over 100 appearances in the Premier League, brings a new level of quality and professionalism to our team. This signing is a statement of our ambition and a clear indication that we are here to compete at the highest level. We believe Saido’s presence will not only strengthen our squad but also inspire our young players and fans across the country”

Saido Berahino Career

Saido Berahino joins Rajasthan United as a free agent after having been released by his previous club, AEL Limassol, in the summer. He had spent two years with the Cyprus club, scoring four goals in 44 appearances for them.

But the 31-year-old forward is probably best known for his time playing in the Premier League for West Brom and Stoke City. His initial breakthrough came as a 20-year-old in the 2013-14 season for West Brom, as he scored five goals in 32 Premier League appearances in that campaign, scoring his first-ever senior goal in a 2-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Saido Berahino would go on to make 133 Premier League appearances for West Brom and Stoke. He managed to score 23 goals and provide three assists in those outings,  but his career started to slumber after a controversial incident in 2019. In May 2019, Berahino saw his contract with Stoke City terminated after being convicted of an embarrassing drinking driving charge.

He joined Belgian club Zulte Waregem after leaving the English side, scoring 10 goals in 34 matches for them in two years. He returned to England in 2021 after being signed by Sheffield Wednesday, for whom he scored nine goals in 36 appearances.

Saido Berahino also has plenty of international experience. He represented England at the U-17, U-19, and U-21 levels, scoring 11 goals in 12 appearances for the U-21 side. But after failing to get a senior cap, he opted to play for the Burundi national team and has made 18 appearances for them, scoring two goals.

The 31-year-old is a rapid and unpredictable forward who tends to trouble defenders with his sharp off-the-ball movement in the opposition half. He’s also a clinical finisher who can finish off chances ruthlessly and has enough pedigree to take the I-League by storm. Rajasthan United will hope that Berahino can tap into his best qualities and regain his ruthless goal-scoring habits at the club.

The Desert Warriors finished in 11th place in the 2023-24 I-League campaign and narrowly escaped relegation. But it’s clear that they’re now intent on challenging for the title and will hope the ex-West Brom forward can lead them to major things with his goal-scoring heroics.

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