Veteran striker Mohammed Rafi has returned to Kerala Blasters after two season with Chennaiyin FC. Rafi, who was with the Blasters during 2015 and 2016, was with the Chennai-based ISL team and lifted their second ISL title in 2017-2018.
The 37-year-old is the 17th player to be signed by the new head coach Eelco Schattorie.
“I'm extremely happy to be joining Kerala Blasters after two years,” Rafi said after confirmation that he was joining the yellow brigade again.
“It is an honour to represent the home team along with a talented squad for Season 6 of the Indian Super League. The only objective now is to bring the ISL cup home and for the same I will give in my 100 per cent on and off the pitch. I am also eagerly looking forward to witnessing the ever supportive and loud crowd make our home stadium a yellow fortress once again,” he added.
“Rafi is a proven goal scorer and one among the few number nine strikers of India. He is one of the best headers in the country with an excellent eye for a goal and his first touch inside the box is always brilliant. His performance in 2016 with Kerala Blasters was top notch and we hope to see him in his best form in the upcoming season of the Hero ISL,” Ishfaq Ahmed, Kerala Blasters assistant coach said.
After a forgetful season, Kerala Blasters are in efforts to build a strong squad under new coach Schattorie. The addition of Rafi is expected to give a boost to the team, which has been trying to mollify fans calling for an improvement in the management since last season.
Rafi has scored eight goals in the Indian Super League, out of which six were with the Blasters. After representing Churchill Brothers and Mumbai FC, he was roped in by Atletico de Kolkata in the inaugural season of the league, which was won by the Kolkata side.
The Kasaragod native was signed by Kerala Blasters for the second season of ISL in 2015.