QNB Stars League side Al Markhiya signed former Qatar national team and Al Gharafa captain Bilal Mohammed in a bid to strengthen their defence.

After signing the contract in the presence of club vice-president Jamil Obaid, Bilal attended the team’s training session on Monday evening.

Bilal is a central defender with rich experience and has won many titles for club and country. Promoted side Al Markhiya will hope his presence at the rear will help them as the league progresses and against strong opponents.

Al Markhiya also roped in midfielder Anas Mubarak from Al Gharafa for a season. It may be a coincidence that The Oryxes next play Al Gharafa, where both Bilal and Anas spent much of their careers, in the seventh round of QNB Stars League.

Al Markhiya, coached by Yousef Adam, are 11th in the standings with four points. They had held Al Kharaitiyat goalless last week, while their only victory came against Al Khor in Round 5.