Seasoned campaigner: Richmond Boakye chats with Selangor coach Tan Cheng Hoe. — Selangor FC
PETALING JAYA: Selangor are insatiable.
They have decided to add more bite to their attack by signing international striker Richmond Boakye from Ghana even though they already have a strong key player in Colombian sensation Ayron Del Valle.
And the 30-year-old Boakye is no ordinary signing.
The Ghanaian comes with strong credentials, having played in some of the top leagues in the world. Boakye has played in the Italian League for teams like Juventus, Sassuolo, Atalanta and Genoa. In the Spanish League, he has played for Elche, where he once scored against Real Madrid.
In Serbia, he starred for Red Star Belgrade en route to winning their league four times from 2017 to 2021, and pocketing the club’s Player of the Year title in 2017.
He has represented his country 19 times, scoring seven goals and was part of their Under-20 team that finished third in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in 2013.
Boakye completes the Red Giant’s nine-men foreign line-up and will be available for selection after July 5, when the second transfer window opens.
He could start for the team against Pahang at the Darul Makmur Stadium in Kuantan on July 9.
He is expected to form a potent combination with Del Valle, who has scored 13 goals and made three assists in just 14 league matches.
Boakye wants to help Selangor finish in the top two in the league and qualify for the continental stage next season.
“I will train hard and be fully committed to win with the team,” said Boakye.
“There is no team without fans. I’m here to be part of it. I want to make history and create a legacy.
“I also intend to pave the way for other players from Ghana and Africa to have more opportunities to play here.”
Coach Tan Cheng Hoe said Boakye’s signing would boost their challenge in the league and the Malaysia Cup starting in August.
“We have signed Boakye because we need more options in the attack. His experience abroad will help the team perform better than before,” he said.
“He will be a good example, especially to the younger players, in the way he manages himself.
“I hope he will adapt well here soon. Although he is joining the team in the middle of the season, which can be challenging, I am confident he will excel,” Cheng Hoe added.Selangor are in second position with 31 points in the league.
