The Uzbek club managed to rope in Eto’o for a six-month spell which will cover their AFC Champions League quarter-final campaign when they go up against Iran’s Saipa.

"The striker will arrive in Tashkent on July 17th and play in the second half of the championship (league) in Uzbekistan," said the statement.

Eto’o’s first game for Mirdjalol Kasimov’s side is likely to be their Uzbekistan Cup fixture on July 22 against Dynamo Samarqand.

The website noted that Eto’o’s presence would be of the "greatest benefit" to Kuruvchi as they mount a challenge for the continental honours.

Kuruvchi, who are currently leading the local league standings ahead of Pakhtakor, qualified for the last eight of the AFC Champions League from a tough group comprising last year’s runners-up Sepahan of Iran, twice champions Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia and Syrian outfit Al Ittihad.