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Bhutia looks for Malaysia opening

July 21, 2005 17:25 IST

Hurt at the 'shabby treatment' from his old club East Bengal, soccer star Bhaichung Bhutia has decided to further his career outside the Indian shores.

"I am negotiating with three clubs in Malaysia. I am likely to clinch a deal with one of the clubs by tomorrow," Bhutia said in Kolkata on Thursday.

Bhutia said he would leave for Malaysia next week for a two to three month stint in that country.

"At this moment I am not in a position to say anything more," the ace striker said.

The 29-year old Indian skipper said that he felt 'sad' at the way East Bengal reacted to his request that they clear his dues for last year.

"For months I have been requesting them that they pay my dues. But they went on delaying. And only two days back, they paid it," he said.

"I feel hurt, I feel sad. They have no difficulty paying advance to their recruits for the coming season. But when I ask for my dues, they seem to have problems," Bhutia said.

Bhutia had forgone a part of his last year's dues on his own as he could not give service to East Bengal round the year following injury.

"But even after this, they seemed reluctant to begin negotiations with me by paying my salary," he said.

Bhutia, who had a three-year stint with English professional outfit Bury FC, also spent several months donning the jersey of Malaysian outfit Perak FC in 2004.

Asked whether he had informed East Bengal of his decision, Bhutia said "what's the need? I'm not registered with them now."

Bhutia also did not say which club he would be joining once his tryst in Malaysia was over.

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