IN THE M-LEAGUE
said Ghaddar on his Facebook account yesterday.
The 33-year-old has plundered more goals than the Golden Boot winners of 2004 (Indra Putra Mahayuddin — 15) , 2006 (Guinea’s Keita Mandjou — 17), 2012 (Cameroon’s Effa Owona and Liberia’s Francis Doe — 15), 2013 (Marlon Alex James of Saint Vincent and Grenadines — 16), 2014 (Brazil’s Paulo Rangel — 16).
Ghaddar’s current tally equals the top scorers of 2005 (Brazil’s Julio Rodriguez and Zambia’s Zacharia Simukonda), 2009 (Nizaruddin Yusof) and 2010 (Ashaari Shamsuddin).
James holds the Golden Boot record of 23 goals achieved in 2008 but the league then had 13 teams compared to 12 this year.
The statistics only take into account the top scorers since the Super League and Premier League system was introduced in 2004.
“I cannot reveal the transfer fee as both parties have agreed to keep it under wraps.
“What I can say is that it is the highest in the M-League,” said Kelantan FA vice president Datuk Nasir Hamzah in Shah Alam yesterday,
“Our decision to sell Ghaddar has nothing to do with Kafa’s current financial situation.
“Ghaddar wants a move from Kelantan. We have several players on trial with us to replace him.”
Darul Ta’zim owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim said hiring Ghaddar is the best decision for the club.
“Ghaddar is not only performing but also scoring a lot of goals. It is better to get a player who is well-versed with the M-League during the mid-season transfer window.
“If we look for a player from abroad then it will be expensive and furthermore, he will take time to adapt with our football and the league,” said Tunku Ismail.
He brushed aside speculations that his club forked out RM5 million to secure Ghaddar’s services.
“We got him at a reasonable price. Darul Ta’zim will not pay RM5 million for a player who is already 33 years old.
“We will have another signing from Spain. He is a midfielder and an announcement will be made soon,” Tunku Ismail added.
Darul Ta’zim are expected to release Argentina’s Brian Ferreira (who holds an Iraqi passport) and Gonzalo Cabrera to
I appreciate what Kelantan and their adviser Tan Sri Annuar Musa have done for me. Kelantan is my second home and the club will always be close to my heart.
slot in Ghaddar and the Spanish player.
Ghaddar’s inclusion will give the needed boost to Darul Ta’zim’s attack but the striker’s individualistic style of play may not fit the club’s tactics.