FC Goa has completed the permanent signing of Syrian international centre-back Fare Arnaut on a one-year deal. After hard work from Alvaro Vazquez and Arshdeep Singh, the 25-year-old became the club’s third new arrival this off-season.
However, this will not be his first visit to India. The defender was part of the Syrian squad that played in the 2019 Hero Intercontinental Cup, where he started against India In a 1-1 draw.
Speaking to fcgoa.in after completing all the formalities, Arnaut said, “I am thrilled at the prospect of playing for FC Goa. It’s a big challenge for me – to come to India and show people what I am and I’m already excited looking forward to the start of the new season.
“I have only heard and seen on screen, the passion of the Goans for football and it gives me a sense of pride to be given the opportunity to represent them. I will do my best to make the club a success.”
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FC Goa’s Director of Football, Ravi Pushkur also expressed his happiness over the signing. He said, “We are very happy to have Fares on board. We have cast our nets far and wide with the Asian player this season and when Fars’ profile was sent, there was unanimous agreement to get him on board. That ball But is comfortable, strong in his playing style and would be a perfect complement to the skills of the other players in our books. His recent successes at continental level and his decision to sign him only to be overshadowed by his country at senior level further strengthened.”
Arnout brings continental lineage
Arnaut has already achieved a lot in his professional playing career which started with Damascus based Al Jasho Play Club (Army) in 2017/18 – Winning the Syrian Cup, the Syrian Premier League and the Syrian Super Cup in his first season with the club. In the years to come, he would establish himself as a key member of the squad – winning the Syrian League again the following season in 2018/19.
During this spell he also featured in Al Jaish’s AFC Cup campaigns, making 15 appearances in 3 seasons in the continental competition, where the Syrian side will make it to the West Asia Zonal Semi-Finals in 2019. After three successful seasons with the 17-time Syrian champion, he moved to Al Muharraq in Bahrain in February 2021. At Al-Muharraq, more success awaits Arnaut as he helped them win the AFC Cup in 2021. He was last signed with Bahrain side Manama club, for which he played in 2021. / 22 Seasons.
On the international front, the youngster has 10 caps to his name after making his debut in the 2019 Hero Intercontinental Cup in India. His latest outing for his country was at the FIFA Arab Cup in June 2021.
The former captain of the Syria U23 side also led his team to the quarter-finals of the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship. The tournament saw Syria brave the odds to qualify from a group comprising Asian powerhouses Saudi Arabia, Japan and Qatar. They eventually crashed out of the tournament in the quarter-finals, losing to Australia in extra time.
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