- India to face New Zealand in World Test Championship final at Lord’s
- India vs England, 4th Test: India Crush England To Win Series 3-1, Qualify For World Test Championship Final
- Mark Pavelich, 1980 ‘Miracle on Ice’ Team USA gold-medal winner, dead at 63
- Chiefs’ Anthony Sherman announces retirement after 10 seasons
- Man City vs Man Utd: Manchester derby Pitch to Post Preview podcast special
Chennaiyin FC sign Tajikistan’s most-capped international Fatkhulo Fatkhulloev

Two-time Indian Super League (ISL) champions Chennaiyin FC have completed the signing of Fatkhulo Fatkhulloev on a free transfer for the 2020-21 season. The 30-year-old winger who can operate on either flank, is all set for a first stint in India with tons of experience. Fatkhulloev is central Asian country Tajikistan’s most-capped international with 68 senior appearances so far, and he joins CFC after a spell at FK Khujand in the Tajik top flight.
The ISL guidelines for the new season stipulate each team to have at least one Asian player among their foreign contingent, and Fatkhulloev fulfils that criteria.
“I have heard a lot about Chennaiyin, seen many matches from previous seasons. CFC is one of the biggest clubs in India with fantastic fans. So when the opportunity arose to make the move, I didn’t think twice. I am really excited about meeting my new teammates, and hopefully delivering a good brand of football with them, which helps us compete for the ISL title,” said an eager Fatkhulloev from the city of Dushanbe in Tajikistan.
“In Fatkhulo (Fatkhulloev), we are signing an experienced professional who has proven his mettle for club and country. He is yet another player who fits our mould of versatility, capable of performing on both wings, and even down the middle. He has won all the major honours back home in Tajikistan, so an added advantage is the winning mentality he will bring to the table,” said Chennaiyin FC Head Coach Csaba László as Fatkhulloev put pen to paper at CFC.
Fatkhulloev was a key member of the Tajikistan squad that finished third in the 2006 U-17 Asian Championship, scoring in the third-place playoff win against Syria. He was also pivotal in helping Tajikistan reach the round-of-16 stage of the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup, with Fatkhulloev netting in the group stage victory over USA.
At the senior international level, he has nine goals in 68 appearances, including two strikes against India – in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup final defeat and in a 2013 international friendly win.
At club level, Fatkhulloev spent the majority of his senior professional career at FC Istiklol, with whom he won an impressive six Tajik top flight championships and five Tajik Cup titles during an initial eight-year stay. He also helped Istiklol reach the AFC Cup final twice during that period.
Following a short stay to Indonesian club Persela Lamongan, Fatkhulloev returned to Istiklol in 2018. Over two seasons, he added a Tajik League and Tajik Cup triumph each to his honours, before making the move to Uzbekistan Super League side FK Buxoro for a brief spell.
Returning to his homeland earlier this year, Fatkhulloev most recently featured for FK Khujand. He notched four goals and three assists for Khujand as they finished runners-up in the 2020 Tajik League season that concluded earlier this month.
Related Posts
About Armstrong Vas
Recent Posts
-
New Zealand v Australia: Martin Guptill stars as hosts win Twenty20 series
Martin Guptill and Devon Conway made...
-
NBA: Two months into season, league without broadcast partner in India for first time in decade
When the star-studded Team LeBron face...
-
Simranjeet Singh’s late strike helps Indian men’s hockey team hold Great Britain to draw
India will take on Great Britain...
-
Swiss Open 2021: PV Sindhu outclasses Mia Blichfeldt to enter final, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty eliminated
Sindhu, the reigning world champion, beat...
-
LaLiga: Diego Simeone, Zinedine Zidane offer contrast styles for their 14th Madrid derby
Simeone and Zidane have previously locked...
-
Optimism grows for large numbers of fans to return for summer of sport
There is growing optimism within government...
-
Novak Djokovic equals Roger Federer’s record for weeks as world No 1
Novak Djokovic equalled Roger Federer’s all-time...
-
Katie Ledecky wins fourth title in return meet as Simone Manuel takes 50m free
Katie Ledecky won the 800m freestyle...