Nashat Akram joins Dutch club

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraq’s star Nashat Akram has joined Dutch Erendvise side FC Twente on a three-year contract from Qatari club Al-Gharafa. The 24-year-old midfielder will be in action against South Africa in the opening match of the Confederations Cup on June 14 in Johannesburg. He came third in running for the 2007 Asian Player of the Year award and starred in Iraq’s run to the 2007 Asian Cup title. Akram, who had a trial with Manchester City last season, told the Twente website: ”This is a dream come true, to play in Europe. FC Twente is a good club with a big coach. ”I want to develop further at FC Twente and grow together with the club.” Coach Steve McClaren added: ”We’ve been following Nashat for a year. He’s a young and very talented player, who has bags of experience given his age.” The midfielder, also once linked to Sunderland, then joined Qatari club Al Gharafa and helped the Doha outfit to the Q-League championship. He becomes the second Iraqi player to ply his trade in Europe, joining Hawar Mulla Mohammed of Cypriot club Anorthosis Famagusta. SH (P) 1