Bangladeshi-origin midfielder Kuba Mitchell, who played for Sunderland’s Under-21 team in England, has been signed by Bashundhara Kings.
The Bangladesh Premier League club made a surprising move during the current transfer window by bringing in the young midfielder. As the Kings prepare to transition from coach Valeriy Titov’s tenure, Brazilian coach Sergio Farias is set to take charge.
Kings’ president Imrul Hasan confirmed that the 19-year-old Mitchell has been signed on a three-year deal.
“We’ve signed Kuba Mitchell to strengthen the squad ahead of the Premier League and AFC Challenge League campaigns. Sergio Farias from Brazil will be our coach for the upcoming season,” said Hasan.
Born in England, Mitchell is 19 years old with a Bangladeshi mother and Jamaican father. Holding passports for both England and Jamaica, he has eligibility to represent either nation. In June, Mitchell obtained a Bangladeshi passport and is currently awaiting FIFA Players’ Status Committee approval, which, once completed, will clear him to play for Bangladesh.
Mitchell began his football journey at Birmingham Academy before joining Sunderland’s Under-18 side in 2022. He earned promotion to the Under-21 squad in July of this year.
Sergio Farias, who has coached a total of 15 teams at various levels, signed a one-year contract with Bashundhara Kings. The 58-year-old has experience coaching Brazil’s Under-17 national team and was most recently head coach at Kazma Sporting Club in Kuwait’s Premier League.
Since joining the Bangladesh Premier League in 2018, Bashundhara Kings won five consecutive titles under Oscar Bruzon. After Bruzon’s departure, Valeriy Titov led the team to Federation Cup and Challenge Cup victories, but they have been unable to retain the Premier League title.