Abd Hadi Taib Mazhud will not be joining Grilled Birds' rebuilding quest after all, as the 30 year-old former national youth midfielder departed for Italian V.96 challengers Proxima Centauri, for S$8.5 million. Polish head coach Amadeusz Jaroński would be convinced by what Abd Taib had to offer, despite his thigh concern, and with the recent high-priced departures of trainees Carlo Bulzomì and Qhispi Cuk, he had the budget and squad space for it.

This meant that the Birds had taken a S$5.5 million loss over Abd Taib's two-season tenure, but with him being lauded as the club's Player of the Season for the first of those, and lifting the Emerald Challenger Cup next, it was probably not a completely wasted journey. "It's been a great experience here." the outgoing Number Eight affirmed. "It's just a bit sad that it didn't end with more."

Head coach Tian Yonghang would be open about there not being any further reinforcements planned, for now. "Our emphasis is first on developing the young gems we have, and secondly on developing our brilliant kids. Any further questions?"

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