Niculae Stanca's foreshadowing of a big signing did not take long to materialize, and it was one that was certain to strike a chord with the fans - for the man involved was Ling Fuquan, one of the Chicken Wings' biggest names of all time, gone to Spain for nearly S$3.6 million, and now signed back from Arcturules for S$4.5 million.

"It made great business sense." Stanca joked. "We paid only like less than a million net for a first-team quality defender, and immediately got another S$90000 rebate on top of that since we are Ling's originating club in the first place."

While there was a slight bittersweet undertone to the affair, with Ling never quite hitting the heights expected of him after his record move, it was quickly overwhelmed by the hordes of supporters who turned up to welcome the local lad back to the Green. Ling was overcome by the sentiment, having to take a minute to compose himself before coming up with a smile for the cameras, as he held former Grilled captain and national player Han Lik-Tsun's Number 15 aloft with Stanca.

"A very special number we kept free for a very special player. And he's here." Stanca announced simply.

"Ling's fitted right back into the Singaporean scene after his return, and he's just hit a hat-trick in the league less than a fortnight ago." the coach continued praising the 21 year-old centreback, and in an ominous signal to Walter Ross, added: "I don't see any reason why he can't walk right in and do a job."

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