Nepal Super League franchise Dhangadi FC on Thursday revealed national football team captain and goalkeeper Kiran Kumar Limbu as their iconic player.

Along with Limbu, they have appointed former international forward Yugal Kishor Rai as their head coach for Nepal’s first ever franchise football league, which is scheduled to be held from April 24 to May 8 at the Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwor. Dhangadhi have already signed Nepali international midfielder Bishal Rai as their marquee player.

"I promise I will give my best to the club," said the 31-year-old Limbu, who will be returning to Nepali football after five years. After playing for the Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) in the 2016-17 season, Limbu spent five seasons with premier division sides in India and the Maldives.

"I am super excited to return to Nepali football after five seasons. I am happy with the offer and the approach of the club," said Limbum, who is the first Nepali player to win three premier division titles in three countries including the Martyrs Memorial 'A' Division League in Nepal, Dhivehi Premier League in the Maldives and I-League in India.

Limbu was a member of the Roundglass Punjab FC that won the I-League title in the 2020-21 season and was named the best goalkeeper in the past season with the same team. With 68 caps to his name, Limbu was a member of the 2016 AFC Solidarity Cup winning national team and the recently held Three Nations Cup including Nepal and Bangladesh national teams apart from the U-23 team of Kyrgyzstan.

This will also be the first high profile assignment for former national forward Rai, who has previously taken charge of 'B' Division outfit Bansbari Club and 'C' Division club Jhapa FC.

"We will play beautiful football with a winning ambition," said Rai, who holds an AFC 'A' licence in coaching. Nigerian coach Fuja Tope will be his deputy. "I hope the new franchise league is the beginning of a new era in the development of football."

Dhangadhi FC owner Subash Bahadur Shahi said the team was happy to have acquired Limbu as their iconic player. "His arrival will definitely strengthen the team," said Shahi.

The seven-team tournament to be organised under technical support of the All Nepal Football Association will be played in the round robin format.