The club - currently bottom of the league table - announced the 32-year-old’s arrival on Friday. It was earlier confirmed by the Uzbekistan Football Association.

Asia's premier club competition has thrilled millions of fans, witnessed amazing goals, brilliant teamwork and fairytale endings over the years.

Of the 10 finalists, Safawi's stunning effort against Shandong Luneng in the 2019 AFC Champions League garnered 34 percent of the votes.

The 39-year-old midfielder's announcement came just a day after Al Hilal finished their 2019-20 Saudi Pro League campaign by clinching their 16th title. which was Al Shalhoub's eighth.

Al Shalhoub posted a video on his social media accounts, revealing his decision after more than two decades of action.

Having looked at some of the finest goalscorers in the tournament, we turn our attention to a group of stars who are set to be the focal points for their sides to build their success around over the next few weeks.

We analyse six strikers who have already played a part in this season’s edition of the competition, and have also performed admirably in their clubs’ domestic campaigns.

From a wonderfully astute finish in Abu Dhabi on Matchday Three to an equally memorable strike in the final against the might of Urawa Red Diamonds, Khrbin frequently proved unstoppable as the Syrian’s 10 goals saw him finish as the competition’s leading marksman – success powered by his unerring ability to be, more often than not, in the right place at the right time.

The livewire forward’s performances also ensured he was named the 2017 AFC Player of the Year – just reward for a season when he led the line superbly for Ramón Díaz’s charges.

With the latest edition of Asia’s premier club competition nearing its resumption, join the-AFC.com as we take a trip down memory lane to relive Khrbin’s exploits and see exactly why he earned the title – AFC Hotshot.