Reconstruction of Eagles’ nest begins with the arrival of new signings

Geylang International has completed the signings of four foreign players as the Eagles start their rebuilding process ahead of the 2022 Singapore Premier League (SPL) season.

French national Vincent Bezecourt is the latest recruit, joining Japan’s Takahiro Tezuka, Rio Sakuma and Croatian Sime Zuzul as the quartet aims to lift the Eagles back to greater heights, having finished sixth in the SPL this season.

The 28-year-old attacking midfielder joins Geylang International from Alashkert Yerevan Football Club, which ended their 2021 season in the Armenian Premier League in fifth position. Bezecourt had previously played for New York Red Bulls in the Major League Soccer in the United States for three seasons from 2017 to 2019 too.

The Eagles’ attacking threat will be bolstered by Zuzul, who is no stranger to the SPL, having played for Balestier Khalsa for three seasons where he has scored 30 goals as a centre forward.

Tezuka is expected to marshal and spark creativity in midfield as the ex-Albirex Niigata midfielder dons Geylang’s colours together with compatriot Sakuma in the coming season.

Sakuma was part of the championship-winning squad when Albirex Niigata lifted the SPL title in 2020. The 24-year-old centre back left for Cambodia to play for Tiffy Army Football Club for one season and is now back in Singapore to challenge for more honours when the SPL kicks off in February 2022.

The trio of local signings from Balestier Khalsa is also expected to shore up and bring stability to the backline and midfield. Ahmad Syahir and Fadli Kamis will provide the defensive cover, while Hazzuwan Halim, who made 20 appearances and scored three goals for the Tigers this season, will be part of the new-look line-up with former Tampines Rovers midfielder Huzaifah Aziz.

Meanwhile, the services of Zaiful Nizam, Ilhan Noor, Umar Akbar, Faizal Roslan and Abdil Qaiyyim have been retained, and they are expected to be integral to Head Coach Noor Ali’s plans when the new season begins. “Next season will be an exciting one for Geylang International. We have a new-look squad, and the boys are hungry and motivated to start the season on a fresh note. We are getting ready for the new season and are confident of starting it on a positive note,” said Noor.