Home United have filled up their remaining two foreign player slots by capturing Thai striker Kornprom Jaroonpong and Cameroon defender Valery Hiek.
The Protectors already have Kengne Ludovick – also from Cameroon – and Brazilian old boy Peres De Oliveira on their roster, and with the latest acquisitions they are looking good and set for the start of a gruelling S.League campaign.
Hiek’s arrival ends Home United head coach PN Sivaji’s search for a centre-back to partner skipper S.Subramani in the heart of their defence. The well-built 27-year old played in Cameroon’s First Division and was part of the Indomitable Lions’ squad for the 2006 CEMAC Cup – the Central African football championship.
Much will be expected of Hiek, a player whom Sivaji describes as “strong in the air” and “a good man-marker”.
The signing of Jaroonpong, on the other hand, can be seen as a gamble of sorts. Jaroonpong, 20, is a Thai youth international and played for BangkokÂ’s Assumption College before making his move to the Republic.
Said Sivaji of his new Thai buy: “Kornprom is a quick player, and the type of striker who provides a good link between midfield and attack.
“He’s still very young though, only 20, and it is his first time playing for a club overseas. So how well and how quickly he adapts will be key to his performance.”
In any case, Home's frontline still boasts the likes of Indra Sahdan, Ludovick, Peres and Farhan Farook, signed from Sengkang Punggol following an impressive 2007 season in which he netted 10 goals.
Meanwhile, Sivaji has also snapped up Singapore international Tengku Mushadad from the Young Lions. The combative 24-year old midfielder, who was a member of last yearÂ’s SEA Games bronze-winning national under-23 team, will attempt to fill the vacuum created by the departure of influential anchor man Diakite Bangaly.