Former 20-goal Premier League striker and England prospect, 31, agrees move to play in India - and... (original) (raw)

Published: 09:37 EST, 23 August 2024 | Updated: 10:40 EST, 23 August 2024

Former West Bromwich striker Saido Berahino has joined the 10th club of his career ahead of the 2024-25 campaign over a free transfer.

The 31-year-old player's signing was announced in a social media post after he spent his last two seasons with the Cypriot side AEL Limassol.

Berahino has not played for an English team since his departure from Sheffield Wednesday in 2021, where he struggled to replicate his performance at West Bromwich.

Despite once being one of the most sought-after players in the Premier League, the attacker has moved to India's second-tier side, Rajasthan United.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), his new team welcomed Berahino and branded him as 'a striker with Premier League pedigree.'

Former Premier League striker Saido Berahino has agreed to move to a second-tier team in India

The 31-year-old player was once regarded as one of the most promising talents in England

His last English team was Sheffield Wednesday in the 2021-22 season, during which he scored nine goals in 36 games

Although they are a second-tier team, Rajasthan are known for signing foreign players and managers, with Berahino's move following the appointment of their new manager, Uruguayan manager Walter Caprile.

Commenting on the signing of the Burundi-born striker, the club's chairman Krishan Kumar Tak said: 'We are excited to welcome Saido Berahino to Rajasthan United FC.

'His experience in top-flight football, including over 100 appearances in the Premier League, brings a new level of quality and professionalism to our team.

'This signing is a statement of our ambition and a clear indication that we are here to compete at the highest level. We believe Saido's presence will not only strengthen our squad but also inspire our young players and fans across the country.'

The player has been struggling to regain his early form of his stunning years at West Bromwich.

Tottenham Hotspur were interested in signing the player at the end of the 2014-2015 season but had all four of their bids rejected

Scoring 20 times in the 2014-15 season, Berahino was regarded as one of the most promising talents in England.

This attracted strong interest from Tottenham, but their four bids were rejected, which ultimately affected the player and proved to be the downfall of his career.

After three disappointing seasons at Stoke City in the Championship, Berahino left at the end of the 2018-19 campaign and moved to Zulte Waregem.

His contract with Stoke City was terminated after he was charged with drink-driving, angering the club, as the player had reasoned to be ill and missed a training session before the incident.

Stoke informed the player that they were cancelling his deal after he was banned for 30 months and fined £75,000.

Since then, Berahino has expressed his desire to return to England but has also found himself playing in Belgium, Cyprus, and now India.

Berahino appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court for a drink-driving charge, which resulted in Stoke City canceling his contract

It was followed by a move to the Belgian Pro League side Zulte Waregem, where Berahino spent three years

He moved to England from his native Burundi at age 10 to escape the country's civil war and featured for the Three Lions teams of Under 19s and 21s.

However, Berahino switched his football international allegiance in 2018, with his last game for Burundi on September 12, 2023.