Grilled will likely be left without a first-choice keeper as expert shotstopper Ahmed Abed-Sulaiman of Egypt has left the club after eight moderately successful seasons. While Sulaiman won two Singapore Cups with the Birds in his first two seasons here, Grilled's subsequent mid-table finishes in the S-League have not been entirely been to his liking.

Grilled's management were also concerned that the 36 year-old might not have a long future with the team in any case, and thus the parting was by mutual consent. As expected, a host of big sides were in the hunt for the experienced Sulaiman, such as siamies (Israeli Division Four), Lofotvaffe (Norwegian Division Five), Buchungs-Werkstatt (German Division Six), GSC Novos Talentos (Portugeuse Division Five) and Flatball Fanatics (American Division Four), but Sulaiman went in the end to Venden 06 of the Latvian Fourth Division for S$6.1 million.

The captain's armband was handed over to vice-captain and fellow ex-international Han Lik-Tsun in a low-key private ceremony attended by squad members, with 28 year-old midfielder Quah Han Kok being promoted to vice-captain.

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