Phua Belgium Bound
Tian's striker exodus continued with 23 year-old former national youth player
Phua Ming Xin exiting to H.I. V.112 club fc Snoetie, who had contested in the same league as Grilled International about a decade and a half ago. They would fork out just over S$5.7 million, which meant a profit of just over a million for the Birds, after three seasons.
It was not quite just the money for Tian, however, as he could not quite hide his emotional attachment for once. "Phua has been one player I thought fit our profile particularly well, and there was always the expectation that he would be part of something big here. Sadly, our updated plans considered, it would not have been fair to hold onto him without being able to offer proper development opportunities."
Phua did not want for suitors, with German Division Seven leaders SuS Hörde 1911 e.V. also eager for his signature, but the challenge of replacing Arseniy Stanovskiy appealed to Phua here. Like Tian, the now-former Number Nine admitted that he had hoped to stay for longer, but there was nothing for it. "Europe is most every footballer's dream, and Mats Säfhall is a top coach - I am sure I will learn a lot with Snoetie."
The Birds would see two academy graduates depart on the same day, as 17 year-old defender Ilham Abd Rahim Zafar left for Dutch VI.1023 side Deazige Harries on a free, spurning Maltese III.1 frontrunners Kukkudrilli. Some might think this an odd choice, but Ilham professed to prioritize potential first-team playing time at this point. Some scouts have further suggested that Harries' more-robust style suited him better, anyway.
Striker Hareedy Magdy would also begin his professional career proper, and he won't even have to get used to a new jersey colour with Bali's Verika goes indonesia again. The H.A.L VI.540 team were not deterred by Magdy's relatively-advanced age, with the local hopeful nearing twenty years of age - for which he was properly grateful.
Grilled International would also have two juniors leave, with 17 year-old centreback Rosiman bin Abdul Lamit drawing attention from Yemeni H.A.L V.230 club NŠ Beni, before taking Madagascar III.6 outfit Magnamalo up on their offer, becoming their first-ever buy. Rosiman's at-times head-scratching decisions had his coaches up in arms only too often, but Magnamalo are evidently happy to take the bad with the good.
As for 18 year-old midfielder Azim bin Abi, his exceptional pace off the ball would attract Chilean VI.647 pacesetters PAR SEVILLA TOS, again as their maiden transfer. "If he learns to dribble anywhere near that speed, he'll have a long career." his scout Daud bin Radiman predicted.