Shaahee To Serve
Grilled snapped their streak of seventeen straight transfers out with the S$4.6 million capture of 23 year-old former Maldives U-20 winger
Shiya Shaahee, who becomes the club's first significant addition since Han Lik-Tsun splashed S$9.6 million on the duo of
Abdul bin Jantan and
lu Zunwen nearly exactly two seasons ago.
Finnish Division Five side Hurrikanes were the early favourites for Shiya as they stumped up the S$4 million minimum that Swedish side Sonic Guys demanded, but were soon overtaken by Dinamo- Kiev and F.C - SILVER (both Israeli Division Five) and Budaörsi Fanatikusok (Hungarian Division Five) in the stakes. The Birds encountered no resistance after they trumped Dinamo's S$4.5 million offer, however, and their expectant supporters will now have a sight to look forward to for the coming season.
"Width has been a problem dogging our team for a long time now in the four seasons since Ciro Penati left, and Shaahee can put it right."
Niculae Stanca declared as he announced his first major signing. "This business is all upside for all parties concerned."
Shaahee, who won his youth caps against Estonia, Argentina and Taiwan in the Maldives' ill-fated U-20 World Cup XVI adventure, where he scored a wonderful 87th minute equalizer against La Albiceleste, was also assured of playing time. "I understand that Penati departed partly as he was underutilized, but we have enough good midfielders nowadays for us to forego having to play five all the time. Between the league and the Cup, Shaahee will get games."
The tricky two-footed winger himself certainly isn't wasting any time, and expressed his ambition for major titles off the bat, as is only expected from a trainee of five-time Maldives national and cup champions CastedduMaldives. "I come for glory." he said simply.
