Grilled International's 31 year-old star man Hardi bin Besar would move on after over 300 appearances - 217 of them competitive - for the club, with Italian Division Three club Sicia agreeing to a S$13 million transfer fee with International. This would be largely funded by Argentine Miguel Roa's S$9 million exit just yesterday, as well as the departures of Pier Luigi Marcotulli and Graziano Setti last month, totaling about S$6 million.

This makes Hardi Sicia's biggest transfer since goalkeeper Paride Raimondi four seasons ago, and Austrian boss Felix Langer is well aware of the expectations that come with such a price tag. Much will depend on how well, and how quickly, Hardi gels with Sicia's established forwards such as Sebastian Osipowicz and Manuel Bezzina, with a serious cup run in their sights.

For Hardi, it was sad to leave the only club he had ever known, but as with Wang Hanxuan, Tibor Atzenhain and more of his previous teammates, it was evident that there was little left for him at International. "It makes footballing and financial sense, that's not open for dispute." the former Number Seventeen said. "But it doesn't make it easier."

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