Guthikonda Roams
18 year-old defensive winger Bhavanishankar Guthikonda heaved a sigh of relief after signing for Romanian Division Five side Titanic Turtles, as his initial job search went awry. The Indian prospect admitted to being concerned when no offers came his way despite the best efforts of Grilled's scouts, but their networking eventually paid off with Turtles head coach Stef Lausberg deciding to take a S$10000 plunge on Guthikonda.
Lim Hock Puay, who had recruited Bhavanishankar from an open training camp when he was sixteen, didn't think that he had any cause to worry. "There aren't too many of his type around at his age. He has the engine to track back or come inside as required, and the Turtles won't regret putting their money on him."
Guthikonda was evidently good enough for at least three other sides, with Overdehill FC (Dutch Division Eight), Chelsea B.G (Bulgarian Division Six) and Sokoto City State Warriors FC (Nigerian Division Four) all willing to process a free transfer. The coaching pedigree of Lausberg edged it for Guthikonda, though, and he will now rub shoulders with the likes of Seiji Hirao and Brice Drogba in the developing Turtles defence.
Niculae Stanca took the opportunity to confirm that no-one will be coming the other way, despite former Birds Dexter Stacey and Thomas Darcy recently being made available. "While we're not exactly operating at maximum potential, we're not about to make any hasty reinforcements either."
