AYEYARWADY Division-based Delta United FC last week unveiled five foreign and four local footballers who have joined the club on six- and 12-month contracts respectively.

Among the new signings is Liberan Sunday M Seah, who is the first foreign goalkeeper to officially sign with a Myanmar National League club.

He is joined at Delta by fellow Liberian James Mooney (defender), Nigerian pair Oguama Stanley (forward) and Mba Vitus Onye Kachi (midfielder) and Cameroonian Nitho Nitho Nia Elvis Willian (midfielder).

The four local footballers to sign on the dotted line with Delta were forward Sai Than Aung from the Ministry of Energy, midfielder Kyaw Zayar Win from Yangon United FC, midfielder Myo Zaw Oo from the Ministry of Energy and defender Chan Chan from Zayar Shwe Myay FC.

The club would not disclose the salaries of the new signings.

The signing ceremony, held in Yangon on September 2, was the first by an MNL club in the lead up to the MNL 2009 competition, which begins on September 5.

Delta CEO U Khin Maung Kyaing said the new signings would help the club move up the table this season.

“Our players have unity and strong mental fitness now. That is the best feature of our team for this second season and I have trained my players with a view to winning every match.”

In attendance were some of Ayeyarwady Division’s better known residents, including film star Yarzar Nay Win, Pearl Win and Myanmar Football Federation president U Zaw Zaw.

U Zaw Zaw urged the club to improve on last season’s showing, when they finished last in the eight-team competition.

“While we cannot make any money from owning a football club, if some of our players can make it into the national team, it will be an honour for Ayeyarwady Division,” he said.

He added that he would seek to create a Delta United fan club in Yangon, which would contribute to socio-economic projects in Ayeyarwady Division.

“The club’s members won’t be asked to support the costs of the football club but rather carry out tasks in Ayeyarwady Division, such as improving the health, education and social facilities. It will also be a forum for delta businessmen to meet,” he said.