Chicken Wings trainee Chirag Thevar put pen to paper on an apprentice contract with the senior side on his seventeenth birthday today, with head coach Djan Bacelar and a number of other club executives in attendance. "We're always ready to give good local talents a shot, and Chirag definitely qualifies." Bacelar said.

The Indian youngster certainly has made a name for himself in neighbourhood circles, and not only for his striking dyed-grey hairdo. Ferocious and effective both in central attack and central defence - a rare combination - Thevar has further gelled the two with a willingness to bring teammates into play when needed.

He hasn't quite made up his mind what to specialize in, though he was played up top more for the Wings. Fortunately, Bacelar promised time for him to explore. "There's no big hurry at this stage, and really, knowing multiple trades is a plus. Helps to know how defenders think, when going up against them, and vice versa."

The contract maked a personal triumph for Thevar, who was not forthcoming about his tough upbringing in Yishun. Chirag's preferred Number 22, which he wore with the youth squad, had been taken by Pompeo Bellamoli, but he was happy enough to claim the next number down, which had just been vacated by Ang Leong Kum.

"Got to keep advancing." he noted.

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