Abahani’s juvenile defender is set to become second player from Bangladesh to go for trial at European club
After Hemanta Vincent Biswas, Abahani’s juvenile defender Tutul Hossain Badsha is set to become the second player from Bangladesh to go for trial at a European club.
The under-17 national center back, who can also play as fullback, is likely to try his luck at Anderlecht, the current champion of Jupiler Pro League, also known as the Belgian Pro League. Anderlecht, which has recently secured their third consecutive Belgian First Division title, is also the club where EPL giant Manchester United’s new Belgian sensation Adnan Januzaj and another EPL heavyweight Chelsea’s Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku spent a significant part of their youth career.
Bangladesh national team’s head coach Lodewijk de Kruif and assistant coach Rene Koster had earlier talked about the possibility of giving Badsha a trial in an European club before and the duo had been working as the bridge between the player and the club.
The trial will begin from July 21 this year and Badsha will leave for Anderlecht before that with the club bearing all his expenses. Badsha impressed and caught the attention of the Dutch coaches during the qualifiers of last year’s AFC U-19 Championship in Iraq.
After the end of the tournament, Rene Koster sent a video of Badsha’s performance to Anderlecht officials which was satisfactory enough for them to offer Badsha a chance for trial. The Dutch coach confirmed the news saying, “I’m sure he (Badsha) can handle the level.”
Badsha emerged as a very promising talent in the Bangladesh Premier League at a very young age for four-time professional football champions Abahani Limited and had played in one game as substitute in the league this season. The young defender was excited after he heard the news of his trial at Anderlecht. “It’s like a dream that I would play in Europe. The coaches took a signature of mine at the federation (BFF) one day and said they would try to give me a chance for trial in Europe. I’m really grateful to them,” said Badsha.
Earlier Mohammedan midfielder Hemanta became the first ever Bangladeshi player to go to a European club (FC Twente) for a trial. The youngster impressed the club but could not secure a deal due to some age issues. The Dutch coaches, however, said that they would try to manage another trial for Hemanta in Belgium or Greece.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
