Kerala Blasters bolster midfield with signing of Azrack Mahamat

Kerala Blasters on Tuesday announced the signing of Chadian international midfielder Azrack-Yassine Mahamat to bolster their team for the upcoming season of the Indian Super League.

Azrack Mahamat, who plays in the defensive midfield position, makes the move from Greek club Levadiakos F.C.

Born in Creteil, France, in a family passionate about the game, the 28 year old decided to be a footballer when he saw his father and older brother practice football. He went on to be trained at AJ Auxerre in 2006 and appeared for the reserves before wearing the colours of the RCD Espanyol B in 2009 through the first 'Draft Blanc i Blau', a program to find new talent.

He was loaned to the Halmstads BK teams and went on to make his mark in the domestic leagues and cups playing for UD Melilla, Etar Veliko Tarnovo (FK Etar), Locomotiv Sofia and Platanias Chania.

His debut on the Chad national team came in September 2008 against Sudan. On 1 May 2010, he made his first-team debut, coming on as a substitute for Ivan Alonso and playing the entire second half against Valencia CF. He has made 14 appearances in all for the Chad national side.

Azrack Mahamat said, "One of my best memories is my excitement on being selected to go to the Clairfontaine national football center at the age of 13. I am feeling a similar excitement on joining the Kerala Blasters for the Indian Super League. The pace and level of the competition in India, especially in the ISL is now of international standards and I look forward to playing under coach Steve Coppell."

Steve Coppell said, "Azrack is a good addition to our side and he will add a new dimension to our game on the field. I welcome him to the Kerala Blasters family, and I am sure the Kerala Blasters fans will be waiting to see him in action. I am looking forward to working with him.