Hallo Chiranjeev
Chiranjeev Karmarkar, the latest big product from the Rancher Rabbits academy, would in the end leave for a cut-price consideration of just S$44000, to German sixth division strivers SV 1936 Saasen. Long on history and as high as they have ever been in the league system, they are now poised to take the next step under Lidor Tzemach, whose recent recruitment of Croatian playmaker Ivano Masili was seen as signalling his intent for the club to rise further.
Tzemach would not skimp on youth development either, with French teen Roger Renard - also just turned seventeen - having just arrived alongside the Rabbits trainee. Chiranjeev's mentor Yip De Da was disbelieving at the fee, though. "He was the most complete forward we've seen in the youth side for, I don't know, five or ten seasons." Yip complained. "Maybe he wouldn't reach seven figures in this economy, but not even six? Had we not been looking out for his future, I'd have recommended him not to leave!"
It was concurred by Chiranjeev's youth coaches that few at The Purple Plantation have been nearly as effective all over the attack as he had consistently been for the Rabbits, and all Fauzi Zahirul Haq could come up with, was his lack of a specific selling point. "Chi takes time to appreciate, he doesn't do fancy tricks. I think that hurt his price."
There was no lack of scouts after him, that said, with English Division Six club Steaua lui Mutu fighting a running battle with SV 1936 Saasen, before which TAC TAC fc (Chilean Division Five) and Deh (Italian Division Eight) had made firm approaches. Entertaining Woodlands side Upright Stick of Justice put in a cheeky bid too, and Chiranjeev was reportedly seriously considering it, before being stood up by his more-attractive foreign offers.
Sadly, today would be the last call for many youngsters from the Grilled clubs, with the Birds releasing Takuma Nagai, Lee Wei Huat and Ross Tran. For the Bunnies, 19 year-old Ezekiel Chai would throw in the towel together with his Rabbits junior Peh Guang Beng, while Grilled International's Harvey Taborada Jr. resolved to join the military instead.
