Islom Present
The fans' dismay at the close Singapore Cup defeat to Claseek would be rapidly soothed, as
Djan Bacelar announced the capture of 22 year-old Uzbek forward
Islom Davlatov. It was a gesture that did not want for grandiosity, with a fee of near S$11.8 million reported, higher than the seldom-seen sum laid out for fellow ReD DeViLS. alumni
Cyril Künzler just a week ago.
With this, Bacelar declared, Grilled have made all their major buys. "We now have the lead man that's been our most glaring deficiency for some time. With Islom here, I daresay we have all the pieces required for the core of the next great Birds team."
Commentators were less hasty to give an unequivocal thumbs-up, however, with more than a few pointing out that Davlatov's goal record of only 24 goals from five pro seasons, was not quite of the standard to carry a developing Grilled side by himself.
Bacelar disagreed. "Islom started out his career as a midfielder, and went into the goal-getting game late. He's taken to it very well, though, and our scouts are of the opinion that he has all the requisite tools to succeed here."
As if to drill that point in, Islom has traded in his Number Thirteen with Russian club FCSP, for the Number Ten shirt last worn by all-time greats Chow Ying Lee and Maikel Rotteveel, both of whom crossed the 190-goal mark in their long and fruitful careers with the Birds.
"It suits him well." Bacelar said simply.
Grilled had to beat off heavy competition from former Danish national cupwinners Wild Card United for Davlatov, as well as offers from Infratirea Gemenele (Romanian Division Six), Flying ANTONov (Iraqi Division Two), Bastioni Gran Sasso (Italian Division Six), Jätesäkkisaurus (Finnish Division Five), Skala (Ukrainian Division Three) and TYGRYSY FC (Polish Division Five), which, as it transpired, was all well worth it.
