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Twenty-six year old Trinidad and Tobago defender Sheldon Bateau will spend the rest of 2017 in Kazakhstan after signing off on a six-month loan move to Kairat Almaty in the Kazakh Premier League.
Bateau, a former San Juan Jabloteh player and Fatima College schoolboy, is on loan from Krylia Sovetov Samara who were relegated from the Russia top flight last season.
(Copyright Kairut)
And the Soca Warriors defender told the TTFA Media that he was excited about the move and looks forward to meeting his new teammate Andrey Arshavin, a former Arsenal standout and Russia international.
Kairat compete in the Europa League qualifying rounds on Thursday although Bateau was not registered in time to compete.
“I’m obviously happy to make this move,” said Bateau. “Kairat is a very good team with big ambitions for Europe and I’m excited to start training and playing with the guys.
“Unfortunately I can’t play in the first rounds of the European League qualifications but I have no doubt that we’ll make it to the second round so I’m patiently waiting to make my debut.
“It’s another step in my career and I’m happy to be playing alongside a player like Arshavin.”
Kairat are Bateau’s third European employers. The versatile defender, a two-time FIFA World Youth Cup player, joined KV Mechelen in 2012 and spent three seasons in Belgium before moving to Russia with Krylia Sovetov for two seasons—first on loan and then permanently.
(Copyright AFP2017/Christian Petersen/Getty Images/)
Now, he will seek his fortune in Kazakhstan.
“To me this is a positive step and I will be pushing myself to be a fixture into the starting team,” said Bateau, “and also keeping myself ready for the next set of qualifiers in September which hopefully I will be part of the squad for.”
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Congrats to Shelly.
Good luck son
God speed to Sheldon
Forgive my ignorance but does it seem that his career is going backwards? Perhaps, I just don’t understand the status of each league.
Brent Bennett Unfortunately it appears that way. He has been our best defender and I think this is not a good endorsement of his abilities to play there. Yuh know they are ranked lower than T&T? Yep they are 100 in the FIFA rankings and even worst is that their highest ranking has not been much better than where they are currently.
I guess he is being paid his salary so in that perspective, good for him. I think he is good player but I’m sure he’d like to play in a better league as well.
Fair question – I think his people should try to get him into MLS rather than those obscure leagues at this stage
From Europe to MLS?
Timothy Rochford he is not the the elite or B class Leagues in Europe
So MLS would be better alternative for him since he going to be playing at a solid enough level, closer to family, cheaper for TTFA to fly him back for internationals etc etc
I highly doubt the league in which he is now playing in is rated higher than the MLS but I could be wrong….
Colin if he can play in Europe and get the exposure for potential elite league teams to see him then why should we worry about the cost to fly him back for internationals. Seems to me he is making the ultimate sacrifice.
I’d say your points are valid Timothy Rochford except for the fact that he is going backwards rather than forwards in his career. Did scouts not see him in Belgium or Russia? I highly doubt people are recruiting talent heavily in his new league
Brent Bennett Ye which is my point – you don’t start in Belgium & go to Kazakhstan
Although it’s clear watching Bateau in national colours – he is still maintaining his standards
Ashavin was recruited from that league (or was it after the world cup he played in).
Maybe its one step backwards, two steps forward. I say we wait and see. Also, isn’t he on loan?
Perhaps, I am not knocking the man, I just thing his career trajectory is not going in the right direction. Nonetheless it is a 6 month loan and perhaps his next deal will be a better one.
We really have to regain our respect as a football nation. Whatever little we had once. We should be sending players to more illustrious leagues than this yes.
But hope Bateau does well.
I agree but when the ones who we DO have playing in those more illustrious leagues (John Bostock anyone) ducking us we need to look at the ADMINISTRATIONS at both Club and National Level that may be resulting in players being sold short.
Nice to hear he’s staying in the top flight over there… Lasana if the team progresses past the qualifying round can he then be registered for the Group stage games?
Yes. Once they win this home and away.
GREAT! Thanks