Goalkeeper Al-Saffar with Anad and Mansi.

KUWAIT CITY, July 8: Kuwait Club has bolstered its first-handball team with the signing of 35-year-old Cuban-born Portuguese international Victor Iturriza on a one-season deal. Known for his strength and experience, Iturriza previously played for European handball giants Barcelona and Veszprém (Hungary), making him one of the most prominent players in the sport.

The signing comes as part of Kuwait Club’s strategy to solidify its squad for the upcoming season. The deal rounds out the club’s trio of international professionals, alongside Frankis Marzo and Vladan, a former Al-Qadsiya player whose contract recently expired. Angel Hernandez, meanwhile, has departed the squad to join a club in the Japanese league.

This move aligns with the Kuwait Handball Association’s announcement that clubs will be allowed to register three foreign players per team, with only two permitted on the court at the same time, and the third remaining on the bench.

Meanwhile,  Sulaibikhat Club has made key moves of its own, signing Yousef Dhaif and goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Saffar for the new season. The signings were formalized in the presence of club president Saad Anad and secretary general Nasser Mansi.

Sulaibikhat had previously extended the contract of head coach Walid Salmeen and brought in Ahmed Abdul Latif as goalkeeper coach. The club also renewed deals with two foreign players: Estonian international Karl Thom and Nouri Ben Halima, a French-Algerian. However, the contract of Estonian player Denir Janima was not renewed.

Elsewhere, Kuwait national handball team star Nawaf Al-Shammari has reportedly received two official offers from local clubs interested in signing him for next season. Al-Shammari is currently reviewing both proposals and is expected to make a decision soon.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff