Bunnies Trio Out
Farmer Bunnies shifted three of their burgeoning stable of youngsters today, with
Nashrullah Alim,
Chen Chin De and Chiang Kiong Pin making space in the squad. Head coach
Elias van Dal stressed that it was wholly a headcount matter.
"We had to warn our secondary trainees that they would have to settle for reduced gametime, if the numbers stayed the same." van Dal revealed. "We of course remain fully committed to youth development, as such we didn't want to mislead them about their prospects. Alim and Chen felt that it was in their own best interests to seek alternate employment after that, and I did not want to be in their way."
Former Tampines Phoenix F.C. youth player
Nashrullah Alim judged his season-long stay at the Buns well-spent, as he prepares to travel to Croatia to link up with Division Five leaders NK Jakšić. "It has been a wonderful learning experience, I will miss all the other guys, but particularly Lau (Cheng Wan) and Wong (Ting Yew). We got through plenty together."
Alim had been heavily recruited, with Rijeka UTD (Croatian Division Six), A.C. Fontana (Italian Division Seven) and A&M Blue (Italian Division Eight) putting out early feelers. F. C. Nobita (Spanish Division Seven) then underlined their interest with a half-million dollar bid, before further action from Palermo Sars (Polish Division Six), Ajax Apopa FC (El Salvadorean Division Three), F.C. Matta Bellacera (Italian Division Seven) and Fc AbodaN (Iranian Division Six) drove the fee up to S$700000 for NK Jakšić.
Be Champions FC teenager
Chen Chin De would end his month-long association with the club on good terms too, even as he expressed his disappointment at not being allowed to complete a full match. F.C. Matta Bellacera were a possible free transfer destination, but Chen would eventually depart for Hungarian Division Six outfit Csanad.
F.C. Matta Bellacera did get a Bunnies boy, however, as Mexican head coach Wenceslao Arce agreed to give prospective midfielder Chiang Kiong Pin an extended trial. This was just what the 17 year-old had been waiting for after five weeks of milling about, and he practically jumped at the opening.
