Arubi walks out of DeMbare dressing room

Sport
By Brian NkiwaneREIGNING Soccer Star of the Year Washington Arubi has bought himself out of a contract with Highfield United ending a long-standing contractual dispute and has set sights on joining the Polish League.

Arubi, who was registered by champions Dynamos to participate in the Champions League, paid US$5 000 to become a free agent.

Highfield United were arguing they had a contract with the player that expires in 2013 and wanted 10% of his sale fee if he joined another club.

The goalkeeper is currently in South Africa sorting out papers to travel to Poland for trials with an unnamed club.

Arubi told Standardsport that he was training with South African side Platinum Stars while waiting for his visa to Poland.

“There are a lot of things that are happening at DeMbare which might end up ruining my career. Players are boycotting training sessions so I decided to come here to train with the club waiting for my visa so that I can travel to Poland,” Arubi said.

Footballers’ Union of Zimbabwe secretary Paul Gundani confirmed that Arubi was now a free agent.“I can confirm that he is now a free agent. I am the one who went to Highfield United to collect his clearance,” Gundani said.

Arubi had earlier told Standardsport he was not under pressure to sign a new contract at DeMbare. “I am going to take my time to ponder my next move,” Arubi said.

If the player is successful in Poland, this will be a big blow to head coach Callisto Pasuwa’s preparations as the club has already lost a number of experienced players.

DeMbare recently lost Cuthbert Malajila, who has been guiding their strike force, to South African side Maritzburg United leaving Pasuwa with a mammoth task ahead of the team’s CAF Champions League participation. Poland has been home to a number of local players notably Dickson Choto, Takesure Chinyama, Shingi Kawondera and Clement Matawu.

Chinyama has been training with Dynamos, but is still to sign a contract with the Glamour Boys. He flew out of the country on a club-hunting mission on Thursday.