Tuesday, February 17, 2015
THREE new foreign players were among the team of 25 that inked their names onto DPMM FC contracts yesterday for the new Singapore League (S-League) season.
English forward Craig Fagan, Northern Ireland defender Brian McLean and Brazilian striker Rafael Ramazotti join Irish midfielder Joe Gamble and Bosnian defender Boris Raspudic as the team’s five imports for the campaign which kicks off on March 1.
The signing ceremony at the Red Jade Room, Centrepoint Hotel in Gadong was witnessed by YAM Pg Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pg Anak Haji Abdul Rahim Pengiran Indera Mahkota Pg Anak (Dr) Kemaludin Al-Haj, DPMM FC vice-chairman, with representatives from eight companies also signing on the dotted line.
Fagan, McLean and Ramazotti are replacing last season’s top-scorer Brazilian striker Rodrigo Tosi, Irish forward Roy O’Donovan and Croatian midfielder Roberto Alviz.
Fagan, 32, was previously at League One (English third-tier) side Gillingham FC but spent most of his career playing for Hull City from 2005-2007 and from 2008-2010 when they were in the English Premier League.
McLean, 29, has played for Falkirk, Dundee United and Ross County in the top-tier Scottish Premiership while Ramazotti, 26, last laced up for J-League Division 3 side Gainare Tottori last year.
A press release from his agent said that Fagan has made a total of 80 appearances for EPL sides Birmingham City, Hull City and Derby County and has scored against the likes of Fulham, West Bromwich Albion, Bolton Wanderers, Manchester United and Manchester City.
Speaking to the media, Fagan said he was pleased with the standard showed in the squad which finished as runners-up to Warriors FC last season.
“I really enjoy playing with this team. The standard here is really good and with the addition (of new players) we have this year, I hope we can make a push for the championship this season,” he said.
When asked about working with former Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean, he replied: “It is good to work with an English manager and I am looking forward to every session.
“I’ve never played in Asia before, but I’ve watched football in all continents and I am looking forward to playing here,” added Fagan.
McLean, who knew about DPMM FC after having a conversation with Kean, also does not have any experience playing in Asia.
But like Fagan, his aim is to win titles at DPMM FC.
“This team is really fantastic and our preparation was really good,” said the defender.
“The challenge for me here is the climate and I still have to adapt to it. My ultimate goal is to win the league and cup with the team,” he added.
Ramazotti, who played in J-League Division 3 side Gainare Tottori last year, is also happy to play in Brunei.
“They (the players) are very good guys and I also like the city here,” said Ramazotti.
When asked about the weather here, he responded: “I don’t have a problem with the weather here since it is almost the same as in Brazil.”
Representatives from Mitsubishi Corporation, Maju Motors Sdn Bhd, Brunei Shell Marketing Company Sdn Bhd, DST Group, Royal Brunei Airlines, Hertz, Hui Huang Enterprise and Sports Partnership Pte Ltd also signed on as sponsors.
DPMM FC’s first S-League match is against Harimau Muda (Malaysian national Under-22 team) at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas on March 1.
Two away matches await them next, Albirex Niigata FC (S) at the Jurong East Stadium on March 7 and Young Lions (Singaporean national Under-23 team) at the Jalan Besar Stadium on March 11.
The Brunei Times
English forward Craig Fagan, Northern Ireland defender Brian McLean and Brazilian striker Rafael Ramazotti join Irish midfielder Joe Gamble and Bosnian defender Boris Raspudic as the team’s five imports for the campaign which kicks off on March 1.
The signing ceremony at the Red Jade Room, Centrepoint Hotel in Gadong was witnessed by YAM Pg Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pg Anak Haji Abdul Rahim Pengiran Indera Mahkota Pg Anak (Dr) Kemaludin Al-Haj, DPMM FC vice-chairman, with representatives from eight companies also signing on the dotted line.
Fagan, McLean and Ramazotti are replacing last season’s top-scorer Brazilian striker Rodrigo Tosi, Irish forward Roy O’Donovan and Croatian midfielder Roberto Alviz.
Fagan, 32, was previously at League One (English third-tier) side Gillingham FC but spent most of his career playing for Hull City from 2005-2007 and from 2008-2010 when they were in the English Premier League.
McLean, 29, has played for Falkirk, Dundee United and Ross County in the top-tier Scottish Premiership while Ramazotti, 26, last laced up for J-League Division 3 side Gainare Tottori last year.
A press release from his agent said that Fagan has made a total of 80 appearances for EPL sides Birmingham City, Hull City and Derby County and has scored against the likes of Fulham, West Bromwich Albion, Bolton Wanderers, Manchester United and Manchester City.
Speaking to the media, Fagan said he was pleased with the standard showed in the squad which finished as runners-up to Warriors FC last season.
“I really enjoy playing with this team. The standard here is really good and with the addition (of new players) we have this year, I hope we can make a push for the championship this season,” he said.
When asked about working with former Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean, he replied: “It is good to work with an English manager and I am looking forward to every session.
“I’ve never played in Asia before, but I’ve watched football in all continents and I am looking forward to playing here,” added Fagan.
McLean, who knew about DPMM FC after having a conversation with Kean, also does not have any experience playing in Asia.
But like Fagan, his aim is to win titles at DPMM FC.
“This team is really fantastic and our preparation was really good,” said the defender.
“The challenge for me here is the climate and I still have to adapt to it. My ultimate goal is to win the league and cup with the team,” he added.
Ramazotti, who played in J-League Division 3 side Gainare Tottori last year, is also happy to play in Brunei.
“They (the players) are very good guys and I also like the city here,” said Ramazotti.
When asked about the weather here, he responded: “I don’t have a problem with the weather here since it is almost the same as in Brazil.”
Representatives from Mitsubishi Corporation, Maju Motors Sdn Bhd, Brunei Shell Marketing Company Sdn Bhd, DST Group, Royal Brunei Airlines, Hertz, Hui Huang Enterprise and Sports Partnership Pte Ltd also signed on as sponsors.
DPMM FC’s first S-League match is against Harimau Muda (Malaysian national Under-22 team) at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas on March 1.
Two away matches await them next, Albirex Niigata FC (S) at the Jurong East Stadium on March 7 and Young Lions (Singaporean national Under-23 team) at the Jalan Besar Stadium on March 11.
The Brunei Times
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