In an unexpected move, 33 year-old central midfielder Aw Keng Chuan departed Grilled Birds, joining Croatian V.48 club MiBR on a S$2.5 million transfer. Aw had won three Sapphire Challenger Cups in his fourteen seasons with the Birds following three developmental years in Spain, but this will be as good as it gets for the stopper, who had been central to some of the club's most important wins in that time.

Birds head coach Dan Alstani revealed that it was a tough decision to have to request Aw to make himself available for transfer. "Keng Chuan would likely have been contribute for at least a year or two more that the level we want, but the problem was what comes after that. If we do indeed return to the S-League as planned in that timeframe, I would much prefer somebody who will be able to stay with the team for longer."

While Alstani sounded almost apologetic, Aw took it in stride. "There have been some great days at Grilled, but I knew this was coming actually. MiBR have a sensible roadmap going, and they have just brought in Sergey Kochura too - former Bosnian Emerald Challenger Cup winner, by the way. Maybe I can pick up one or two more here!"

Alstani confirmed that he remained on the lookout for suitable talent, having passed up on former player Phua Ming Xin, who instead went to Polish sixth divisioners Victor Team for just over S$1.8 million. "Have to be very careful here, the economy's not doing well after all."

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