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Football diplomat Kashif Siddiqi set to join Real Kashmir on loan from Oxford United

Published at :September 21, 2019 at 12:08 PM
Modified at :September 21, 2019 at 12:08 PM
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Atrayo Bhattacharya


The 33-year-old has vast experience of playing in the United Kingdom, United States and the Gulf.

Former Arsenal academy player, Kashif Siddiqi is set to join I-League outfit Real Kashmir for the forthcoming season, on loan from League One side Oxford United.

The 33-year old right-back is mainly known for his movement "Football for Peace," where he uses football as a medium to counter terrorism and other social evils. Now, he himself will make his way to Kashmir, the world's most militarized zone.

Siddiqi is extremely active off the field as well, as he founded his organisation, Football for Peace, in 2013. He uses the sport as a medium to raise awareness on the alarming issues by diplomatically engaging community-based activity.

Siddiqi will also travel to New York to attend the 74th United Nations General Assembly this week, before joining Real Kashmir. He will be joining several diplomats with backgrounds in football, like FIFA Women's World Cup winner Carli Llyod, former AC Milan defender Oguchi Onyewu and New York Red Bulls veteran striker Bradley Wright-Phillips.

Coming to his on-field journey, Siddiqi was an Arsenal academy player and has had stints with Wycombe Wanderers in his youth. He has plied his trade for lower division clubs in the United Kingdom like Hayes FC, Yeading FC and Boston United. Siddiqi then shifted to the United States, playing for lower division teams like Springfield Demize, Eckerd Tritons and Presbyterian Blue Hose.

The big break in his career came when he joined UAE Gulf Pro League outfit Al-Wasl. His stint in the UAE was followed by a short spell in the United States, as he returned to England joining Northampton Town. He joined Oxford United last month and now he will be playing in India for the Snow Leopards.

The full-back will join the likes of Mason Robertson and Loveday Enyinnaya in defence for Real Kashmir. The 33-year old is primarily a right-back, but can even play in midfield or further up ion the right wing, if required. Siddiqui will become the second overseas signing for the Snow Leopards this year, after they announced the arrival of Kallum Higginbotham.

Real Kashmir featured in the Durand Cup earlier this season, where David Robertson's team topped their group and qualified for the semi=finals. However, the Snow Leopards suffered a 1-3 defeat at the hands of Mohun Bagan in extra-time.

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The 33-year old defender expressed his delight to come to India in his club statement, "I have been training hard at Oxford and have been made to feel part of an amazing football club. I can’t thank them enough and I feel fit and ready to go with the next exciting part of this project, which is to go out on loan to Real Kashmir, which will happen soon after I get back from America.

“People know the challenges facing the Kashmir region and I want to get out there, start playing competitive football again and spread the word that Football for Peace is not all about talking at the United Nations: the game itself can play such a massive part in bringing peace and opening dialogue, all around the world.”

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