Qassem Quest
In an unexpected arrangement, Grilled signed current Saudi Arabian international defender
Qassem Madaini from Italian Division Six club Shohoku FC for S$4.4 million, which was coincidentally what Shohoku had paid about six seasons ago.
Originally from now-defunct former Al Dawry Al Momtaz club M MAGIC, Madaini learnt his trade at Corni's Team TRENTO, and has been moulded by ten seasons in the heavily-defensive Italian league. Although his last match in national colours came as a twenty-year old against Romania in the World Cup, Madaini has recently earned a recall to the squad, and sat on the bench against Spain last Friday.
Grilled coach
Han Lik-Tsun insisted that Madaini was the right signing for the team whether or not he stays in the Saudi lineup, however. "Madaini's just entering his prime as a defender at 27 years of age, and can take a free-kick too." Han beamed. "He should form the core of our new defence together with Jungui for seasons to come."
Madaini's salary of slightly over S$100000 a week gave rise to concerns among some supporters that Grilled were returning to the bad old days of unsustainable wages, but Han assured them that the club is keeping a tight watch on the bottom line.
Grilled were reportedly also after Italian set-piece specialist and wingback Eusebio Nicoletti, but were pipped to his signature by Spanish side El Trasgu. This brought suspicions that star man
Domenik Bögengang, who currently takes free kicks for the side, is on his way out, but Han revealed that Grilled had slapped a prohibitive S$12.5 million get-out clause on him.
"We have allowed Bögengang and some of our other players like Kim, Mausisa and Behr to talk to interested clubs, but we certainly aren't going to let any of them go for less than they are worth, especially Bögengang." Han explained.
"We passed up on former Georgian U-20 goalie Datshi Guriis and former Lithuanian U-20 one Kristoforas Nemanis due to their pricetags, and we are perfectly happy to start the new campaign with Silvera in goal if we can't get a replacement for Valdir at a decent valuation relative to our sales." Han insisted. "As gatekeeper of the club finances, I will not be pushed into unwise decisions."
