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Salgaocar FC signs French striker Claude Gnakpa

Claude Gnakpa Johouri

I-League side Salgaocar FC have signed French striker Claude Gnakpa Johouri from Iraqi Premier League outfit Al-Mina’a SC.

Having come up through the Montpellier youth ranks and having experience of playing in France, Scotland, Spain, England and Iraq, Gnakpa’s arrival will certainly give SFC the much needed cutting edge upfront.

Gnakpa has been training with Salgaocar for five days now and says that he has heard good things about Salgaocar from players. “The boys are good, since my arrival, I have been welcomed,” he stated. “We laugh, have a good time.”

On being asked about how he would fit with the other foreigners, he was very positive. “Chika’s a good guy, very involved. I’ve not met Seito but I’ve heard he’s a good player, delivers good passes and is good with the ball, which is important since I’m a striker. As for Darryl, he’s great and we gel really well. I hope to play alongside him.”

Salgaocar’s General Secretary RAJ Gomes stated that they had now completed their foreign signings for the year 2013-14 and looked forward to a good year ahead.

Coach Derrick Pereira was eager to see how he combined with Duffy upfront and held that he was the sort of player SFC had been looking to sign. “We are glad to have him on our side, his ability to break through defenses will certainly boost our strike force.”

Gnakpa was equally complimentary about the coach. “I’ve enjoyed the training sessions with the coach. He’s a good man; very respectful of players and is always looking for improvement. I’ve also heard great comments about him, that he loves football, and is a 100 percent into his sessions and the players.”

“I want to score goals, perform, win the league and the Federation Cup and am looking forward to a good season,” he signed off.

(Edited Salgaocar FC Press Release)