Uganda Cranes forward Muhammad Shaban has completed his long-awaited move to Ethiopian Coffee, signing a one-year contract that was officially unveiled on Tuesday in Addis Ababa.
The 26-year-old striker joins the Ethiopian Premier League side after a turbulent few months following his departure from Libyan outfit Al Anwar, where he featured between February and June this year.
Shaban had been a free agent since leaving Libya and was heavily linked with a move to Kenyan champions Gor Mahia.
Reports from Nairobi indicated that the forward was promised USD 30,000 upon signing, but he only received USD 10,000, leaving him frustrated and pulling out of the deal.
After returning home, Shaban explored a possible reunion with his former club KCCA, but negotiations collapsed.
The move to Ethiopia now marks a new chapter for the forward, who has also featured for Onduparaka and Vipers SC in Uganda.
At Ethiopian Coffee, Shaban joins a league that has recently attracted several Ugandan players, including Brian Ahebwa, Geoffrey Wasswa, and Nafian Arinaitwe.
Wasswa, who previously played for the same club, now plies his trade at Fasil Kenema Sport.
Ethiopian Coffee missed out on the league title last season to Ethiopian Insurance, and Shaban’s arrival is expected to boost the team’s attacking options as the club prepares for the new season.
