Former Indonesian youth international defender Djoko Tambusai would return to his native land soon after turning 28, with II.3 side FC Manggudu laying out S$12.75 million. A club with illustrious roots in South Africa, FC Manggudu appear to be revving up for national honours under Argentine head coach Hugo Nicolás Mugni, and Tambusai is already looking forward to reuniting with former national U-20 squadmates Barata Nasuha, Nasib Sahalsale, Reagan Soputan, Arsyad Musriza and Deva Bangun.

Bunnies head coach Dalibor Kostadinović was loathe to let the Number Six - consistently one of his most reliable stars currently - leave, but admitted that it would have been unfair to hold him against his wishes. "Tambusai cited both his ambition and desire to be closer to his family, and I couldn't very well force him to stay." Kostadinović explained. "Not when plans for the next seasons remain up in the air."

Tambusai had moreover also attracted a solid bid from current Ivory Coast Ligue 1 leaders and likely champions Coldmountain, who already have four national league titles and six national cups secured. That he turned them down eventually would speak of the sincerity of his petition to return to Indonesia, though he did admit it as the most tempting offer he had received in his career.

"Coldmountain have a reputation second to none, really." he said. "Their management have of course been successful in the Italian Serie A with Montefreddo City too, and there's not much more that one can ask for, as far as proven records of success go. Maybe I will always regret it a little. But it's been six-plus fairly good season with Bunnies, I'm just a little sad that we never got back to the S-League."

Be the first to comment