National football league new entrants Kirere FC have expressed interest in signing former Police and AS Kigali striker Jimmy Mbaraga in the January transfer window.

The ex-Rwanda international is set to become a free agent after Musanze FC, where he has been since being released by Police two years ago, refused to renew his contract.

Speaking to Times Sport on Sunday, Kirehe coach Hamiss Sogonya said, "It’s true we want to bring him in January, and if the deal goes through, it will be good business for us because he is one of the best strikers in Rwanda; but for now everything is subject to the ongoing talks.”

"The talks are still at the initial stage and nothing has been agreed yet but we’re confident of signing him because he wants to come here and start playing regularly. He is one of the players we want to add to our squad before the second half of the season,” added Sogonya.

And, in a separate interview, Mbaraga confirmed the development. "Yes, I am talking to them and if everything goes well I will be a Kirehe FC player in January. But I will have to first want to analyse the conditions well before making a decision.”

The 26-year-old is remembered most for scoring crucial goals for AS Kigali on their way to the 2013/14 Peace Cup glory. But he has since failed to replicate that form at Musanze. Mbaraga also played a starring role in Police’s 2014 CECAFA Kagame Cup campaign, during which they finished second runners up.

Kirehe are in 4th place in the 16-team league table standing with nine points after four rounds of matches. The Eastern Province-based side will visit defending champions APR FC after the international break.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw