A To Z And L
27 year-old Kyrgyzstani former youth international
Aitykul Zaripbekov was the next to leave the Buns, as the club accepted a S$10 million offer from German V.30 side Doc Cool Allstars. Their Iranian head coach Kasra Abolfazli is no stranger at all to huge transfers, having recently recruited goalkeeper Tom Lube from former German cupwinners Weitmar Style, and Belgian playmaker Jasper Le Dieu from ex-Spanish national champs Basauri C.F.; seen in this light, Zaripbekov's move will hardly wow their fans too much.
This remained a bittersweet departure for the Bunnies' former Number Two, who had racked up 114 starts in his eight seasons in Singapore. The big-haired defender had become a formidable wingback in his own right, but did not scale the peaks that some had thought him capable of. Silverware had also eluded him at the Buns, as their replacement generation never came together.
"It's been some good years, but also time to look ahead for me." was Zaripbekov's parting shot. "Good luck to the new crop, a finer set of homegrown guys I have yet to see!"
Grilled Birds also divested themselves of a defender in 17 year-old trainee Chang Ze Fu, who will begin his professional career across the Causeway in Johor with H.A. Division Seven side CH Dead. "Let's just hope the ringgit conversion rate doesn't drop further." he quipped.
