Sporting Clube sign Kenji Arai

Panaji, Nov 23 (Indianfootball.com-IBNS): Sporting Clube de Goa have signed Japanese defender Kenji Arai under the Asian player quota for the remainder of the season.

Arai has been signed from Singapore Armed Forced and the club hopes he will bring the necessary stability at the back to keep Sporting Clube in the I-League. Current Sporting Clube lie second from bottom.

Arai signed the contract at Sporting Clube in the presence of Sporting Clube vice-President Victor Fernandes and the player agent Raul Fernandes.

Kenji stated that he was very pleased to sign for Sporting Clube and was well aware of the clubs history.

"When I was offered the position by my agent Raul, I immediately consented as I love Goa and its people having visited the state back in 2007 to play for Singapore Armed Forces against Mahindra in the AFC Cup at the Fatorda Stadium. The Club President Peter Vaz, the Vice President Victor Fernandes, the coach Roy Baretto and all the players have been very good to me since my arrival and have made me feel very welcome. I shall do my best to help the team in achieving high laurels on the football field," stated Arai.

Kenji, who is 31 years old and 1.83 metre tall (6 foot plus), is an experienced player having played for Albirex Niigata in the J-League, Niigata in the Singapore League before joining the Singapore Armed Forces where he won the Singapore League three times and the Singapore Cup twice. Kenji has also played for the Singapore Armed Forces in the AFC Cup and the AFC Champions League. He also represented the Singapore select team against Brazil which included Ronaldinho.