Adios Antonio
Fringe midfielder
Antonio Fernández Riviera left Grilled to link up with fellow Spanish 22 year-old Raúl Bueno at Belgian Division Five side beest, who had torn through their Division Six league and are currently on a sixteen game winning streak. Riviera treated his teammates lavishly with a six-course dinner after the S$918 000 deal.
"It's been good times, but there are just too many good midfielders here," Riviera, who has eight Cup appearances for Grilled, sighed. "As a footballer, I want to play, and beest can slip me into their rotation."
"Indonesian Division Three promotees acuhbaelah were an intriguing option as I'm now familiar with the Asian style of play, but in the end they didn't take up first option. Belgium's far closer to home, of course."
A couple of agents were seen milling outside Grilled's office as word on the street was that they were out for a young replacement, but being in no hurry several prospects were rejected. Italian 18 year-old Paolo Yacob Saliman and Spaniard Gonzalo Giraudier were high on consideration. Andrea Roose was highly recommended by his Swiss counterparts, but Italian Division Six side Silver Plated had their hearts solidly set on him.
17 year-old academy winger Yeo Hock Yi announced his enrolment in a polytechnic later in the day. "If I make soccer my career, it must be as a big name," Yeo said. "There's no sense in being a part-timer. Since no clubs have expressed their interest in me, I have thought it over with my family and decided to quit playing."