Kaleemullah Khan

Kaleemullah Khan is a professional footballer from Pakistan who plays as a forward for the national team. He has achieved historical milestones as the first Pakistani player to score 100 career goals in club competitions and the first to play and score in the United States. Since 2021, he has been a free agent after his last club appearance for Zakho SC in the Iraqi Premier League.

Early life and education

Khan was born on 20 September 1992, in the city of Chaman within Pakistan's Balochistan province. He belongs to the Achakzai tribe of ethnic Pashtuns. During his youth, he played for his school team at Government High School Chaman. Although his parents initially lacked support for his athletic interests due to poor national infrastructure, they eventually agreed to his football pursuits when he signed with Afghan Chaman.

Career

Khan made his Pakistan Premier League debut during the 2008–09 season with Afghan Chaman. KRL scouts identified him in 2009 after he appeared as a substitute in a match. He joined KRL on 27 July 2009 and scored his first goal for the club in a 3–0 victory against PAF F.C. During the 2010–11 season, manager Sajjad Mehmood promoted him to the first team. Khan played a vital role in the Challenge Cup victory that year by scoring the second goal in a 4–0 win over Pakistan Navy.

The striker helped KRL set a league record by scoring 77 points during the 2012 season. In the 2012–13 campaign, he established himself as a primary player under manager Tariq Lutfi. He scored 35 times that season to become the league's all-time top goal scorer. His performance helped the club win a domestic double and reach the AFC President's Cup final.

In 2014, Khan signed with FC Dordoi Bishkek on an initial five-month contract. He later extended this to a two-year deal in July 2014. During his time in Kyrgyzstan, he helped the team secure a treble consisting of the league title, league cup, and super cup. He finished the 2014 season with 21 goals in 21 matches across all competitions.

Khan moved to the United States in 2015 when he signed with Sacramento Republic FC of the USL. He made his debut on 20 June 2015, appearing as a substitute in a 2–1 win. On 16 December 2015, Tulsa Roughnecks FC announced his signing for the 2016 season. He scored his first goal on American soil on 1 May 2016, making him the first Pakistani footballer to score in the US.

After a loan move to K-Electric in late 2016, he signed with Turkish club Serhat Ardahanspor in September 2017. He later joined İzmirspor in July 2018, but he left the club in August 2018 because he did not receive an international clearance certificate. Khan then signed with Igdirspor and scored his 100th career goal against Cayelispor on 15 October 2018.

Following a brief stint with Araklıspor in early 2019, he signed a four-month contract with Al-Najaf FC in Iraq. He scored his first goal for the club on 4 May 2019 during a 3–2 win against Al-Talaba SC. He moved to Zakho SC in September 2019.

Personal life

Khan is a member of the Achakzai tribe. He was born in Chaman, Balochistan.

Awards and recognition

The Pakistan Football Federation awarded Khan the player of the year award in 2013. He was also declared the best player in the Pakistan Premier League for his domestic and international performances. In Kyrgyzstan, he received the best player award from the Football Federation of the Kyrgyz Republic following his 2014 season. He holds the distinction of being the only Pakistani footballer to score 100 career goals in club competitions.