Ho Ho Hoshi
Christmas came early, for Grilled's financial division at least, as the club could not turn down a million-dollar offer from German Division Six side Alemannia Spiegelberg for
Kazuto Hoshi. He will hope to follow in the footsteps of previous one-game Number Nine Fang Tong Rong, who had just made his national U-20 debut at forward against Luxembourg last week.
Head coach
Niculae Stanca admitted that it was an agonizing decision to make. "We would have loved for Kazuto to make it big here, but there was the matter of where to play him - there are barely any places left as it is. Not only that, our current regime is tailored towards the older set, and would have curtailed his chances of shining. Due to this, we felt it best to let him go."
For Kazuto, the move represents a great opportunity to establish himself as a starter, especially as Spiegelberg have just released eleven regulars. Although his preferred number has been taken by fellow youngster Dietbert Daams, he is confident of playing a large part in Waisen's setup.
Oliver Wing meanwhile transferred to Jordan Division Three side In Kölle ze Hus for S$92000, with Sissacher Sweeties (Swiss Division Eight) and crackese (Italian Division Nine) his other likely destinations. South African Division Four club Sporting Clube DJG were interested early on, but did not follow up on the 17 year-old midfielder.
Finally, Grilled are due at least a further S$82000 from the S$4.1 million return of former youth player Mohammad Musa to Tampines Phoenix F.C., assuming that no third party hijacks the transfer, to round off what is a very merry day indeed for the club accountants.
It is not all so pretty for two of Grilled's rookies, though, as Girivar Soibam and Chew Long Lai revealed their intention to quit, following no forthcoming offers despite a few months of training with the reserves. The loss of Chew, who was once touted to be a top striking prospect, will be particularly keenly felt by Wings followers.
"I've always wanted to be a pro football player, but kicking about with the stars has made me realise that it just isn't going to be." Soibam ruefully said, "I had a talk with my parents, and we agreed that a clean break would be best, so that I can concentrate on my polytechnic studies."
