Zesh Rehman greeting the Kitchee owners as the latest chapter in his career opens

Zesh Rehman has signed for Hong Kong Champions Kitchee SC in a deal until May 2013. After a successful first year in Asia with Thai Champions Muangthong United, helping the team reach the final of the Thailand Cup and the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League, Rehman has headed to new territory in East Asia.

The 28-year-old was the first British Asian to play in the Premier League during his time at Fulham, and he also had spells at Brighton, Norwich, Blackpool and Bradford. He is hoping the move can raise the profile of the club and football in Hong Kong.

“I am looking forward to getting started and taking up this new challenge,” said Rehman, who launched the Zesh Rehman Foundation in 2010 with the aim of offering positive opportunities for young people to aspire and excel.

“Kitchee play a very good style of football and put in decent performance against both Chelsea and Blackburn last year. After meeting with the directors and owners of the club, I was impressed with their ambition and determination to take the club up a level. I want to play my part in helping Kitchee improve, raise the profile of the club and further progress in the AFC Cup.”

Ken Ng, Kitchee’s president, said: “Kitchee is happy to have secured Zesh as our Asian Foreigner for the upcoming AFC Cup competition. Not only has Zesh played at the highest level in England, he has also demonstrated his leadership and good nature as an individual who share our values.

“We believe that he will make a positive impact at Kitchee and in Hong Kong Football.”

Rehman’s move to Muangthong United in January 2011 made him the first former Premier League player to play in Thailand, which also helped to attract former Liverpool FC and England striker, Robbie Fowler, to the club where he is now player-manager.

“Thailand was a great experience and all the players, management and fans were great to me till the day I left,” added Rehman.

“Robbie’s arrival was great for me personally as I learnt a lot from him and I’m sure he will continue to improve the team. I had some very good offers in other parts of Asia and Europe but all my attention now turns to Kitchee. As a player I’m still yet to reach my peak and I want to continue developing as a player and a person.”