- The former 20-goal Premier League striker has joined the tenth club of his career
- Now 31, he was once considered one of England’s most promising talents.
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Former West Bromwich striker Saido Berahino has joined the tenth club of his career ahead of the 2024-25 campaign on a free transfer.
The 31-year-old’s signing was announced in a social media post after spending his last two seasons with Cypriot side AEL Limassol.
Berahino has not played for an English side since his departure from Sheffield Wednesday in 2021, where he struggled to replicate his performances at West Bromwich.
Despite being one of the most sought-after players in the Premier League, the attacker has moved to Indian second-tier side Rajasthan United.
In a Post on X (formerly Twitter), Berahino was welcomed by his new team, hailing him as “a striker with Premier League pedigree.”
Former Premier League striker Saido Berahino has agreed a move to a second-tier side in India.
The 31-year-old was once considered one of England’s most promising talents.
His last English team was Sheffield Wednesday in the 2021-22 season, during which he scored nine goals in 36 games.
Although a second-tier side, Rajasthan are known for signing foreign players and coaches, and the signing of Berahino followed the appointment of their new manager, Uruguayan coach Walter Caprile.
Commenting on the signing of the Burundi-born striker, club chairman Krishan Kumar Tak said: ‘We are delighted to welcome Saido Berahino to Rajasthan United FC.
‘His experience in top-flight football, including over 100 Premier League appearances, brings a new level of quality and professionalism to our squad.
“This signing is a statement of our ambition and a clear indication that we are here to compete at the highest level. We believe that Saido’s presence will not only strengthen our team, but will also inspire our young players and fans across the country.”
The player has been struggling to regain the early form he showed during his impressive years at West Bromwich.
Tottenham Hotspur were interested in signing the player at the end of the 2014-15 season, but all four of their bids were rejected.
Berahino, who scored 20 goals in the 2014-15 season, was considered one of England’s most promising talents.
This sparked a huge interest from Tottenham, but all four of their bids were rejected, which ultimately affected the player and proved to be the downfall of his career.
After three disappointing seasons at Stoke City in the Championship, Berahino left at the end of the 2018-19 campaign and moved to Zulte Waregem.
His contract with Stoke City was terminated after he was charged with drink driving, angering the club as the player had called in sick and missed a training session prior to the incident.
Stoke informed the player that they were terminating his contract after he was suspended for 30 months and fined £75,000.
Berahino has since expressed a desire to return to England, but has also found himself playing in Belgium, Cyprus and now India.
Berahino appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on a drink-driving charge, prompting Stoke City to cancel his contract.
A move to Belgian Pro League side Zulte Waregem followed, where Berahino spent three years.
He moved to England from his native Burundi at the age of 10 to escape the country’s civil war and played for the Three Lions Under 19 and 21 teams.
However, Berahino changed his international football affiliation in 2018 and his last match for Burundi will take place on 12 September 2023.
