Not A Moment Chu Soon
If ever there was a signal that Grilled Birds had embarked upon their squad rebuilding exercise in earnest, it would have to be a second big youth signing in as many days. The target this time would be Orchard-based Crescent Royale Kelab Di Raja's
Lau Chu Soon, and the 20 year-old defender would move for a shade over S$3.35 million.
Crescent Royale have quite some history, having been founded by the management behind four-time Brunei B-League champions Hattrick Royalty - who have also expanded to Malaysia with Crescent Royalty. Lau's rise would be mostly his own, though, as he handily distinguished himself in their youth division of CR DI RAJA, before helping the senior side to two Division Four titles in his short time as a professional. There was even a brief brouhaha when he declared himself renamed as Shaquille Osman towards the end of his first season, but that would be quietly rescinded.
Lau had no trouble making waves through more mundane means, moreover, as he distinguished himself as a level-headed yet uncompromising presence in central defence. It was these qualities, that endeared him to the Birds' coaching team.
"None of our players are wallflowers, and we have always been able to get stuck in when needed." head coach
Hilal Bakhtiar explained. "But perhaps we have been lacking that extra inch of steel. Well, Lau will provided that. He's one the closest to an old-school hard man that I have seen, amongst the local set of youngsters - and without their unnecessarily-nasty side."
Lau, like
Chad Thach yesterday, had a host of suitors, beginning with ambitious Division Three side International CAT F.C.; Portuguese sixth division leaders FC 4L maintained a constant interest, with Real Naquadah_ (Belgian Division Six) and REAL KUUMB (Italian Division Four) putting in official bids too. When it came down to the crunch, however, it was a three-way between Grilled Birds, Real Balbao of the Italian V.117 and dEugnbegga Boiza of the German VI.453, with the Birds prevailing.
With this, Lau will swop his former Number 50 with Crescent Royale, to take the Number 12 - last worn two seasons ago by Mateja Jeftić, but previously also by such luminaries as
Bhavya Panigrahi, Gene Filippone and John MacKinnon. "It's a dream to play for the recent national champions." the newcomer beamed. "Onwards and upwards!"
