Lin To Rimini
As foretold by Han, youth skipper Lin Aik's career got off to a bang as his services were acquired by Italian Division Six leaders Rimini nord for S$722 000. Lin felt good about his chances, noting that Rimini had just cleared out nearly a full team's worth of players in the preceding days.
"My first choice was to stay, but the lure of learning the trade in Italy, home of so many defensive greats, was too much to ignore." the big lad said. "I will strive to do Grilled proud with my development over here."
Rimini were not alone in admiring Lin, with Radical Dragon (Chilean Division Six) and local II.3 frontrunners Joker 9 reportedly also having very close bids accepted. Lechia Dzierżoniów (Polish Division Seven) and TEKSTILSCHIK UNITED (Russian Division Five) tracked Lin for a long time, while Italian sides tanaliberatutti f.c., bellatrase and F.C. Barbeano, and
local Division Four clubs Arsenal RIS and RA Trevista Rangers all put out feelers.
Lin's move was preceded by the low-profile free transfer in of 22 year-old midfielder
Hilal Bakhtiar from newly-formed fellow Jurong club Sandai Kitetsu, who promptly won their first two league games on the trot.
Fans were left scratching their head at this one, given that Hilal's potential is pointedly rather lower than most of the trainees Grilled already have, even if he did shine, and score, against FC East Coast. Han hinted that he had special plans for him.
"Hilal caught the eye of one of our scouts who happened to drop in for that match, and he was taken by Hilal's assertiveness on the pitch as he captained a side of near-strangers to victory as a cohesive unit. This is one of the things that our youngsters have been lacking in, and hopefully some of Hilal's spirit can rub off on them."
Hilal was modest about this, putting it all down to his training during National Service. "Well, I was pressed into being a specialist, then a drill commander, so I had no time to be shy." he said.
