Punt On Sim
Sikong Darong unveiled what he called a deal he couldn't overlook today, as he introduced 25 year-old forward
Sim Leng Cheng as the Buns' newest member. Having spent his youth career with former national champions Kim Tae Hee FC, Sim would continue his development first with Italy's Sugos, and then in Austria with Elsenau SC.
Sim then established himself as a regular with Romanian club FC progresu, earning Golden Boot recognition in his first full season with them. That coincided with a second Division Six title for the club, but dissatisfaction with progress since then, coupled with an unfortunate concussion suffered against ZIMBRU TECUCI for which Sim felt he didn't receive enough support from Zihnija Buhić over, led to his putting in a transfer request.
Sim's availability drew firm offers from Burglöwen von 1860 (German Division Six), *red&blackheart*, San Marzano F.C. (both Italian Division Six), LEGION EXTRANJERA F.C. (Argentine Division Four) and former Belgian Eerste Klasse club Excelsior Reloaded 224, but he would settle on the Buns' S$6.3 million offer.
This was, as Sikong emphasized, a move that benefitted both parties greatly. "Leng Cheng wants silverware and to play a key role with a club on the up-and-up, and we think we fit that definition. Being in Singapore is a plus, of course."
"As for us, we get badly-needed depth up top. Many of our previous strike additions were targeted towards the short term, and for how incredible
Enzo Paolo Panzarino has been for the club, he's turning 34 soon. Bentellis is 37! Clearly, we need a partner - and competition - for Al-Maashany."
Sikong recognized that some sources have raised concerns about Sim's concussion, which had doctors recommend he take a month off from the pitch. "The contract was dependant on him passing a full medical, and he's done so with flying colours. Nothing permanent at all. It's better than a comparable foot injury, personally, it's far less likely to become a recurring thing."
