Recent Singapore youth international defensive midfielder Phua Li Kong would be snapped up by Grilled International for a round S$10 million today, after a referral from the national coaches to the Birds. Tian Yonghang could not justify adding to his already-packed midfield rotation in good conscience, but a quick call to Didi Reidenbach confirmed that International had the funds - and space - to spare.

Formerly a prized product of former Singapore Cup holders FC Barca Singapore's La Masia Singapore academy, Phua would spend just over a season in Poland with FC Kaleń, before switching over to Dutch Division Five side Boerendrecht for a touch over four million. This was where he earned his first cap in a 0-2 defeat to Uzbekistan a couple of weeks back, and right as Boerendrecht head coach Maciej Krzyżanek indicated a willingness to let him go to help balance the books - especially after the S$12.25 million arrival of Norwegian winger Stig Semb.

This was where Reidenbach inserted himself, although he accepted that the price paid was somewhat over the odds for a player of Phua's profile. "I didn't want to risk losing Phua after a drawn-out renegotiation, and he does have valuable intangibles... and most importantly, is exactly what we need to stabilize our defences. I'm hardly expecting Phua to do it all by himself, but it's a big first step."

The new Number Two would profess to be touched by the trust that Reidenbach had placed in him, by agreeing to the purchase price on first asking. "Frankly, I thought it would be a return to Singapore, but Brunei is not a bad destination either. I mean, they even use basically the same currency. But seriously, I am eager to start working with my new teammates, especially Chua Jun Long and Redhuan!"

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