Kamran Ali Iqbal signs pro at Valerenga

Kamran Ali Iqbal signs pro at Valerenga

By Desiballers

VALERENGA have offered a professional contract to promising defender Kamran Ali Iqbal (picture top left with fellow academy graduate Mathias Blårud).

The Tippeligan club announced the news on their website, saying they were pleased to have offered the contract to the youngster who has come through the youth ranks at the club.

The 18-year-old is the latest player of south Asian origin who have progressed from the youth ranks into professional football.

Other graduates from Valerenga’s academy include Harmeet Singh, Etzaz Hussain and Ghayas Zahid. Singh is currently signed to Eredivise club Feyenoord while Hussain spent time at Manchester United before returning to Norway and eventually joining former Old Trafford favourite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Molde FK. Zahid is still at Valerenga, having played for the first team on a handful of occasions.

Iqbal expressed his delight in turning professional and be included in the squad for the 2014 season.

“I am very happy and I cannot wait to train (with the first team),” said Iqbal.

“The goal (is) to get to the top level as fast as possible and becoming a better player. I will fight hard to reach a level that I (can make) my debut in the Premier League (in 2014).”