One Hutt To Hut
Tian Yonghang would spring for a midseason transfer today, as he brought in 20 year-old Austrian defender
Damian Hutter, for just over S$2 million. While able to play all across the back in a pinch, Hutter is a natural left-sided centreback, and it wasn't a stretch for pundits to figure that his role would be to understudy - and eventually replace -
Gilbert Webb in this position.
Tian confirmed as much, as he presented the new Number Twelve. "Webb's going on forty, and Panigrahi is 37 himself. We will be needing reinforcements sooner rather than later in defence, and Hutter is a good addition to the rotation. He's never been afraid to try new things from the back, which is something that we've been looking for."
A free transfer to Spain's 21Barça21 from his local club FK Peterborough, Hutter had developed well in the Spanish sixth division, although largely at leftback beside fellow German trainee Toni Wintzingerode. This brought concrete offers from both German H.I. VI.880 club Stadthagen Gremlins and Hessen-based Division Six side Holzbein United, who were evidently hoping to replace Franz-Andreas Hoerth. Tian was evidently quite persuasive, however, and had Hutter eventually resolve to venture further afield.
Had that not come through, the rumour mills had the Birds also looking at 24 year-old Spanish option Ricardo Castilleja of Croatian Division Five club Goala Junior, who fit a similar price and playing profile. Hutter's acquisition has probably put a stop to that line of speculation, though.
