PAOLO Rangel has turned Turtle.
A few hours after touching down in Kuala Terengganu yesterday, the 29-year-old Brazilian who played for Selangor this year, penned a two-year deal with Terengganu.
When met by reporters at the Terengganu FA (TFA) office in the morning, the Golden Boot winner who scored 16 goals for Selangor this season, declined to comment on his latest move, out of respect for his former team.
But TFA secretary general Arpin Draman said Rangel, who recently signed a two-year contract extension with Selangor, had the blessings of his former employer to join Terengganu.
“In fact, we are very lucky to have Rangel here in Kuala Terengganu as I have been told that six other clubs were also chasing for his signature.
“But all the uncertainties are now over as he is officially ours and we can look forward to a bright new start for our football team,” he said.
Arpin, however, refused to reveal the amount behind Rangel’s deal although sources indicated the numbers run well into seven digits.
“Suffice to say, he is our most expensive foreign signing ever,” said Arpin.
Terengganu coach Abdul Rahman Ibrahim said it would have been a lot cheaper to hire Rangel last season after his brief but successful stint with Perak.
“I was about to become Terengganu coach then and I had the opportunity to bring Rangel along but back then, the team had already chosen their foreign signings.
“Anyway, what is important is that Rangel is here now and I have no doubt he will be a valuable addition to our team,” he said.
Terengganu have also signed Lebanese Hassan Chaito, a midfielder, on a one-year deal. Argentine striker Gustavo Lopez was hired last month while Vincent Bikana extended his contract for two more years. By Zainuddin Muhammad