Mumbai FC nears deal for Djelaludin Sharityar

Sharityar started his career in Germany where he played for the youth team of Bundesliga club Vfl Wolfsburg. The 33-year-old defender has a wealth of experience, having played for German clubs FC Konstanz, FC Emmendingen and SpVgg Weiden.

India's Sunil Chettri (right) and Afghanistan defender Djelaludin Sharityar jump to head the ball during the SAFF Football Championship at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on December 03, 2011.

I-League club Mumbai FC is closing in on a deal for former Afghanistan national team captain Djelaludin Sharityar, confirmed sources at the club. The experienced centre-back will add stability to the Mumbai defence which has conceded five goals in four matches so far this season.

Sharityar started his career in Germany where he played for the youth team of Bundesliga club Vfl Wolfsburg. The 33-year-old defender has a wealth of experience, having played for German clubs FC Konstanz, FC Emmendingen and SpVgg Weiden.

The Afghan defender last played for Bahrain Premier League side Manama Club. The move to Mumbai is expected to be a season-long loan deal with an option to make it permanent at the end of the season. Coach Santosh Kashyap has preferred to maintain an Indian core to his team so far but Sharityar is expected to take up a slot in defence once the move is confirmed. The defender will be Mumbai’s third foreign signing after Densill Theobald and Roxey Fer.