That Great Wee Man
Farmer Bunnies unveiled a signing out of the blue this evening, as the announced the arrival of 37 year-old former national team regular
Wee Liang Teck, for some S$1.4 million. An academy graduate of Sandy Footprints, not many thought too much of him when he left for Finnish H.I. side Mysteeri on a free transfer upon turning professional, but it was an association that brought him six youth caps, and then eventually 59 caps at the senior level.
It was then off to Germany at the age of 31, as 1.FC Mittelsdorf signed him for over S$16 million, where he went on to win back-to-back Deutschland-Pokals - and even reach the finals of the Hattrick Masters, where Mittelsdorf lost 2-3 to Brazil's Igarapava Cabrito's. Wee's inability to keep former German international Dominik Weikl from scoring the winner in the 76th minute remains the greatest regret of his career.
Still, life had to go on, and after picking up a second German national cup and a II.3 winners' medal, the 37 year-old would move to ambitious Equatorial Guinea third divisioners, the Equatorial Guinea Pigs, to experience a freshly-started league. Half a season there saw him help the Pigs to a perfect seven league wins to lead III.11, but Wee had thoughts of home - and the Buns were happy to oblige.
"Wee has been one of Singapore's greatest defenders for the last decade, and it's a honour to have him at Carrot Field." Buns head coach
Vishnu Tallapaka enthused. "He'll make a wonderful role model for our players, and from how
Ho Ah Kian,
Gabriel Priebe and
Koushan Khatibi are getting minutes, Wee will definitely feature too."
Tallapaka then confirmed that Khatibi was unlikely to return before next season. "His knee was worse off than we feared, and the doctors wisely don't want to rush anything."
Over at The Cooking Pot, the Grilled Birds management revealed that financial director Anees Abd El Hakam would be leaving the next day, and thanked him for his service. "My work here is done." Anees quipped, as he marched off to the carpark, engrossed with his phone. "And if you'll excuse me, I have to stay on top of my portfolio here - that crash yesterday morning nearly took me out while I was asleep!"
At the same time, club secretary Mohd Hamzah Minhat announced the arrival of the experienced Choi Guang Choon as the Birds' new form coach. "It will be a pleasure to work with such a talented squad." the 53 year-old, who has several stints at various major sporting organizations both local and abroad, said. "We'll start with an extra ten laps today... and then a team bonding session!"
