'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Delhi Dynamos have confirmed the signing of West Brom Albion striker Adil Nabi on loan for the second season of the Indian Super League. Delhi Dynamos have a close link with the Premier League club with the club’s signing being announced during West Brom Albion matches. This is the first time a player under contract with a Premier League club will move to the Indian Super League on loan.
The 21-year-old was knocking on the first team door with The Baggies, but a cruciate ligament injury meant that he was sidelined for the entire 2013-14 season. The young striker who has a Pakistani heritage is considered to be a future player at the Hawthornes.
West Brom youth coach Kam Uppal compares his playing style to that of former English international Michael Owen and feels that the youngster was about to break into the first team right before he got the injury during a pre-season game. Uppal said, “Adil is excellent. He's a versatile attacking player. He can play up front as a 9 or as a 10. He reminds me a lot of Michael Owen in terms of his style and stature. For me, he's an out and out striker. Adil was unfortunate with the injury that he got. I think at the time he was on the fringes of breaking into the first team.”
Nabi joined West Brom as an eight-year-old and has gone on to play for the West Midlands club at every youth level. He has also played for the England U-17 team scoring two goals on his debut. He is known particularly for his dead ball exploits.
Nabi becomes the first player from the Premier League to join the Indian Super League on loan. Speaking to BBC, the youngster seemed excited on going on a new journey to India stating, “I didn’t really have to think about it for too long. The idea appealed to me the moment it was proposed. I spoke to my parents and to people at the club and everyone thought it was an exciting idea.”
I can’t wait. It is going to be an amazing experience. Some of the players who are now going to India are the biggest names in world football and working under a legend like Roberto Carlos is a chance not to be missed.”
It’s a great opportunity for Adil: Tony Pulis
Tony Pulis, whose team were narrowly beaten by Champions Chelsea last week, said the youngster would return a better and mature footballer. “It’s a great opportunity for Adil and we will follow his progress closely. I’m a big supporter of a young man stepping out of his comfort zone and experiencing another part of the world. I think he will come out of it a better, more mature person and as a result, a better footballer.”
Speaking about his loan move the youngster feels that the experience will hold him in good stead and help him graduate to the first team back in England. “I will be back at the end of the year when I hope I will have learned as a person and a footballer. My ambition is to still break into the Albion first team and this experience can help me do that,” Nabi concluded.
West Brom and Delhi Dynamos announced the signing via their Official Twitter accounts:
