Verma Rides Panzer
Grilled Birds' 17 year-old Shubhaksh Verma earned a S$280,000 move to Chilean VI.196 side Panzerstriker today, after heavy competition by Ukraine third divisioners FC Lutsk team. A self-described hybrid striker-defender, it remains to be seen how he will be utilized by Czech head coach David Šindelář, who has been somewhat notorious for cycling through prospective trainees.
To Wings scout Mok Feng De, though, Verma is clearly good enough to warrant a pro career. "He had solid fundamentals, excellent technique, and above all incredible mentality and leadership potential." Mok praised. "He was like an assistant coach at times, in the academy - and a fine one at that!"
Panzerstriker and FC Lutsk team aside, these qualities also brought official bids from Juventus CHN (Chinese Division Three), Alalis (Lithuanian Division Five), M.K.PAŞA SPOR (Turkish Division Four) and local III.7 leaders, Durian Lovers United. None were prepared to match the duo's offers, however, which made it a straight choice between the two for Verma.
There would be an additional S$330,000 windfall for the Birds, after 21 year-old former academy lad Brian Reddy transferred from English Division Five club AFC Silkmen to Benin Division Three outfit Afa International, for a whopping S$16.5 million. Never exactly a standout with the Wings, Reddy would thrive under Josef Knett's tutelage, and would go on to earn 22 caps with the national youth side, alongside the sobriquet "
Was Born Reddy" with the Silkmen.
Of course, that last was hardly true, as Afa's new Number Seven would admit readily enough. "There was luck and sweat, but mostly sweat." he confessed. "Who knows what the future can bring?"
Grilled gaffer
Hilal Bakhtiar confirmed that the Birds had been monitoring Reddy's situation, but that they never had serious intent to make a move. "He's one of Singapore's top young wingers, but really not what we need at the moment." he said, unavoidably bringing
Heng Dong Chu's travails to mind. "We will keep watching his progress with the greatest of interest, definitely."
