Cameroonian legend Samuel Eto’o signs up for Qatar Sports Club on free transfer
Another legendary star has just joined the Qatar Stars League.
Former Cameroonian international Samuel Eto’o, a four-time African Player of the Year award winner, was unveiled by Qatar Sports Club at a glittering ceremony yesterday, according to Qatar Tribune.
صور من المؤتمر الصحفي للاعب الأسطورة #صاموئيل_ايتو pic.twitter.com/gNMK6o753s
The 37-year-old, who was playing in Turkish side Konyaspor just a week ago, joined his 13th club on a free transfer.
The ex-Barcelona FC player said he talked to his former team-mates before committing to a one-year contract.
“Xavi (Hernandez) and (Wesley) Sneijder are my best friends. Before I came to Qatar, I spoke to them and they told me all conditions are good, to seize the experience and that it’s good to play here,” he said.
#فضل_عمر " كابتن فريق #نادي_قطر يرحب بزميله اللاعب المحترف الكاميروني #صاموئيل_ايتو ويتمنى له التوفيق مع الفريق القطراوي pic.twitter.com/6CHv7ki7rU
While Xavi has been playing with Al Sadd since 2015, Sneijder joined Al Gharafaa at the start of the year.
Eto’o, who was born in 1981, will play for Qatar SC in the No.81 jersey. His debut in the club colours is expected to happen later this week, when they take on Al Sailiya in the Qatar Stars League on Friday, reported The Punch.
#صامويل_ايتو ، انا سعيد جدا بحضور الجماهير الكاميرونية ل #نادي_قطر لإستقبالي pic.twitter.com/SkhUfSUVkE
In 2009, Eto’o had won the UEFA Champions League title with Barcelona playing alongside Xavi. A year later, he won Europe’s biggest club trophy with Italian side Inter Milan, this time alongside Sneijder.
Eto’o’s signing is considered as a coup for Qatar Sports Club, which finished mid table last year and is not expected to win any titles this year.
They have won eight league championships, but the last of those came in 2003 and they are not expected to challenge this season. Last season they finished in mid-table in a 12-team league, a massive 36 points behind champions Al Duhail.
#صاموئيل_ايتو ,أنا سعيد للغاية بالانضمام لصفوف #نادي_قطر، وأشعر بالفخر للعب في بلد المونديال وان السمعة الطيبة للدوري القطري جعلتني أوافق على العرض لاسيما وانه التقي بزملائه تشافي وشانيدر واكدوا له على روعة الأجواء في الدوحة pic.twitter.com/xY67vAgoGi
Earlier, Eto’o had confirmed that French Ligue 1 clubs had contacted him after he announced he was leaving Turkey, reported The Guardian.
He enjoyed five hugely successful seasons with Barcelona from 2004 to 2009, before helping Jose Mourinho’s Inter to win the treble of Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia titles in his first season in Italy.
كابتن فريق #نادي_قطر #فضل_عمر يسلم شارة القيادة الى زميله اللاعب #صامويل_ايتو pic.twitter.com/CKt34EbTQH
He then had brief stints at Chelsea and Everton in the English Premier League.
Eto’o has scored 56 times for his country in 118 appearances and won two African Cup of Nations with Cameroon.
