Argentine forward Hernan Barcos to join Bashundhara Kings

Argentine forward Hernan Barcos. Photo: Twitter

Argentine forward Hernan Barcos is set to join Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) football champions Bashundhara Kings on Wednesday (5 February) ahead of their maiden AFC Cup campaign, reports UNB.

"We're very delighted to announce that Barcos will fly (for Bangladesh) tomorrow (Monday) and is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on 5 February," president of the club Imrul Hasan said on Sunday.

He said after releasing their Lebanese booter Jalal, they were searching for a quality striker.
"Barcos has a very good striking ability which will help us in the upcoming AFC Cup engagement as well as in the Bangladesh Premier League," he said.

Imrul also said he has already signed their offer letter and after his arrival, they will arrange an official signing ceremony here.

Barcos will represent Bashundhara Kings in the AFC Cup and the 2nd leg of BPL. However, he will not be able to play in the 1st leg of the league as the registration window has already closed.

Barcos made his debut for Argentina against Brazil. He played four matches for Argentina, including two in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Chile and Uruguay.

He also has experiences to play with legendary footballer Lionel Messi.

The 35-year-old forward could not score for Argentina although he has huge goals in club football. In his 16-year career in club football, he played in Brazil, Argentina, China, Ecuador and Colombia.

He scored 38 goals in 64 matches for LDU Quito in Ecuador league. Last year, he played for Colombian team Atletico Nacional. He scored 14 goals in 42 matches.

BPL champions Bashundhara Kings are going to play in the Asian top club competition for the first time. They want to show their best performance in the AFC Cup.

Dhaka Abahani played the zonal semifinal play-off of the Asian Cup last year which has boosted Bashundhara Kings' morale.

"Abahani showed the way for us. We're the best team in the country. Now, time has come to show our worth aboard. It's high time we formed the best quality team," Imrul said.

Last year, Bashundhara Kings recruited World Cup-playing Costa Rica booter Daniel Colindres. This time, they are signing another world star.

It was learned that Barcos will be one of the highly paid foreign players in Bashundhara Kings.

Any club can register four foreign players, including one Asian, in the AFC Cup and also in the Bangladesh Premier League Football.

Bashundhara Kings will play their first match in the AFC Cup on 11 March at Bangabandhu National Stadium against TC Sports Club of the Maldives. - Collected from "Prothom Alo"