Kerala Blasters sign Paul Rachubka

KOCHI: With rumours of former Manchester United player Dimitar Berbatov joining the Kerala Blasters ranks getting stronger by day, the southern ISL team on Saturday announced the signing of former Red Devils goalkeeper Paul Rachubka through their social media platforms. "From across the seas, he comes to the God's Own Country, Paul Rachubka is here to keep our goal. Get the chants up," said a Facebook post in the Kerala Blasters page.
Rachubka, aged 36, is the second signing of a former United player by the Blasters after roping in defender Wes Brown.A couple of days back Brown had disclosed in an interview with an English website that Rachubka will also be joining him at Blasters but the management was silent about the signing. "Ex-United goalkeeper Paul Rachubka is also going out to Kerala. We got in contact again and it will be good to have someone else out there with me on the playing side," Brown had said.
The American-born Rachubka moved to England when he was seven years old and possess dual nationality. Though he represented England at youth levels, he failed to make the cut for the senior national team.
Rachubka made his debut for United in the 2000 Club World Cup. He made only one appearance for the Red Devils and was soon loaned out to Royal Antwerp and Oldham Athletic before moving to Charlton Athletic in 2004. Rachubka has represented around 18 clubs in his career and his recent spell was with FC Bury in the third tier in England.
It is also learnt that Blasters are in talks with 35-year old Brazilian forward Julio Baptista. Baptista, who has earlier played at big clubs like Sao Paulo, Sevilla, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Roma and Malaga, is currently a free agent after completing his stint with Orlando City in 2016. He has represented Brazil in 47 matches, including a World Cup, a Copa America and two Confederations Cups, scoring five goals.