I-League: Salgaocar set to sign former Montpellier youngster Claude Gnakpa

Salgaocar are close to signing French-born Ivorian attacker Claude Gnakpa, Sportskeeda can confirm.

Born in Marseille, Gnakpa started his youth career at Montpellier and has also had spells in Spain, England and Scotland. The 30-year-old has been training with the two-time Indian champions for a week and the deal is expected to become official in the next few days.

Gnakpa can operate both on the flanks and upfront and will become Salgaocar’s fourth foreign signing of the season following the arrivals of Nigerian central defender Chika Wali, Japanese midfielder Seiji Saito and Scottish striker Darryl Duffy.

After his youth days in Montpellier, Gnakpa had spells at local sides Marignane and Beaucaire before moving to Spain where he played for Racing Santander ‘B’ and Alaves ‘B’. Gnakpa then had stints in the lower divisions of England at Swindon Town, Peterborough United, Luton Town and Walsall.

He also had a spell with Scottish top tier outfit Inverness and was last playing for Al-Minaa in Iraq.