New engine room boss: Noor Al-Rawabdeh posing with the Selangor jersey.
PETALING JAYA: Selangor’s new signing Noor Al-Rawabdeh is called ‘’the engineer’’ for a good reason.
The Jordanian midfielder often dictates the tempo in the engine room and set pitches alight with his passes and clever movements. But the 25-year-old did not earn the moniker just because of his prowess in the middle of the football field – he actually studied engineering at one time.
“I did civil engineering, so I guess, the nickname came from that,” said Al-Rawabdeh.
“I needed to have something to fall back on but my dream had always been to play football.
“I’m living that dream right now.”
Al-Rawabdeh has played 19 games for Jordan since making his international debut in 2019.
Not only that, he was instrumental in helping Al-Faisaly top the Jordanian League before moving to the Red Giants last week ahead of the new Super League season kick-off.
Selangor signed him up, thanks to his experience in Asia when he helped Bahraini club Al-Muharraq win the AFC Cup in 2021.
Al-Rawabdeh can play in either the number six (defensive playmaker) or eight role (deep-lying playmaker), which his countryman Baha Abdelrahman did last year for Selangor.
He is expected to be partnered with Ghanaian midfielder Alex Agyarkwa in the middle of the park, allowing Mukhairi Ajmal Mahadi to play further upfront.
“I’ve been here several times due to national duty but this is my first stint as a professional here,” he said.
“Selangor are a big club. I’ve heard a lot about it, and I can’t wait to start. I’m excited to see the fans too.”
