Gujarat Giants have acquired the services of Iranian all-rounder Mohammadreza Shadloui on the opening day of the Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 Player Auction in Mumbai on Saturday.

We pipped the likes of Telugu Titans, Bengaluru Bulls and Patna Pirates to rope in the Iranian powerhouse for a whopping INR 2.23 crore.

“Excited to start this new chapter with Gujarat Giants. Grateful for the trust and ready for the grind. Let's build something unforgettable together,” Shadloui said after joining the franchise.

Fondly known as the ‘Showstopper’, Shadloui became the first-ever player in PKL history to surpass the 2-crore mark for three consecutive seasons.

The 25-year-old has already cemented his legacy as one of PKL’s greatest overseas players after winning back-to-back titles with Puneri Paltan and Haryana Steelers.

Shadloui was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for his magnificent all-round performances in the Pro Kabaddi Season 11.

He amassed 82 tackle points in 24 matches last season, including four Super Tackles and five High 5s.

Apart from emerging as a defensive stalwart, Shadloui also accumulated 57 raid points to guide the Steelers to their maiden PKL title.

Earlier in Season 10, the Iranian kabaddi star registered a staggering 99 tackle points and 27 raid points to help his former side, Puneri Paltan, clinch their first-ever PKL title.

Shadloui will join raiders Himanshu Singh, Parteek Dahiya, Rakesh Sungroya, Shridhar Ananda Kadam and right corner Himanshu Jaglan in the Giants’ set-up for the upcoming edition of the Pro Kabaddi.

With a remaining purse of INR 1.848 crore, the Giants will aim to add more match-winners to their PKL Season 12 squad on Day 2 of the auction under the guidance of head coach Jaivir Sharma and assistant coach Varinder Singh Sandhu.