Cyril In
Djan Bacelar delivered what the fans were waiting for today, with his S$11.6 million purchase of 23 year-old Polish star winger
Cyril Künzler the club's most expensive buy in thirty-eight seasons. Much will, definitely, be expected from him, given the clamour that accompanied his modelling of the Number Eight jersey last worn by Low Aik Jia.
Signed at the last moment over Portuguese Fifth Division side valpedrense's heads, and an approach from former Dutch Emerald Challenger Cup winners De Bankhangers, Cyril had enjoyed four very productive seasons at Uzbek giants ReD DeViLS., who have lifted every major domestic trophy on offer. An unused substitute against F C SPARTAK in the Sapphire Challenger Cup final, he came on for ten minutes against Nasriddin Buxoro in the Ruby version.
Prior to playing in the big time, he had started out with Nowe_Legio-Legionowo, after being rejected by Fc Brooker's scouts. The Polish side would have few reasons to be displeased about taking Künzler on, and after impressing for two-and-a-half seasons with the senior side, he was signed by ReD DeViLS. for just over S$3 million.
Bacelar felt that Künzler's experience with a successful top-flight team, would be invaluable in returning that little jaunt to Grilled's step. "It's something that's tough to regain, but if there's anyone who can help us get it back, it would be Cyril."
"The price we paid will always hang over him, sure, but he has got the character to handle it. We expect great things, because any less would be unworthy of us!"
Grilled playmaker
Moey Xin Seng was over the moon at the acquisition. "This is exactly the kind of statement that we have been waiting for the club to make. Talent is what defines us as a unit, and Cyril is about as good as it gets, in his position."
The fans will have to wait for their next treat, though, after the Birds were reportedly rebuffed by Pakistani youth international Hassan Asim, over his planned role. Asim eventually went to tarımspor 2003 (Turkish Division Six) for S$11.4 million. Qatari Ahmed Bin Nasser Al-Rumaihi was reported to be another option, but he would shortly thereafter pledge his future to Kalsuto.
There would be a footnote to the day's business for the Birds, as 18 year-old fullback Charlie Um left for Polish Division Eight club Alpha Omega XX, on a free transfer. Turkish Division Six Amon-Ra Fc were also interested, but declined to follow up.
Farmer Bunnies' good fortune in the transfer market continued, as Mohd Alim Al Baihaqi came off their production line, to command a fee of some S$800000 from Colombian Division Five side Celios FC.
Described as a born leader by his coaches, the defender also received firm offers from nine other clubs - FC Mancho (English Division Six), Pepsi_Cola (Czech Division Six), tmmu911 (Chinese Division Four), Lota - Albo (Chilean Division Six), Empire F.C. (Dutch Division Seven), F.C. RIVIERA (Italian Division Eight) and FC Bübchenkickers (German Division Six), as well as two Hattrick International sides: Romanian Champions and Jegovianos por Bolivia.
Head coach
Sikong Darong would not be pressed into revealing what he had earmarked for the Buns' recent windfalls, but promised that the supporters wouldn't have too much longer to wait. "I meant it when I said that we were aiming to go up. However, that doesn't mean that we'll just throw cash around, and hope for the best."