Transfer watch: All of Asia’s moves
Kuala Lumpur: With the transfer window reopening and various national leagues kicking off over the coming days, teams are either bolstering their ranks or are adding reinforcements to their squads.
18 December
Vietnam U-23 national team goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung has left Vietnamese champions Hanoi FC to join V.League 1 rivals Ho Chi Minh City FC, the club announced on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old goalkeeper was part of the Vietnam senior national team that won the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup and reached the quarter-finals of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup at the United Arab Emirates.
Tien Dung starred for Park Hang-seo when the nation reached the final of the 2018 AFC U23 Championship in China PR while also helping Vietnam U-22s win their first-ever SEA Games gold medal in men’s football earlier this month.
Ho Chi Minh City will play Thai League 1 outfit Buriram United at the Chang Arena in Buriram on January 21.
Sydney FC have retained Milos Ninkovic, signing their star player to a two-year contract extension.
The 34-year-old will see out his career with the Sky Blues after rejecting a multi-year deal from A-League newcomers Macarthur FC in favour of signing a new deal with Sydney.
Ninkovic’s contract extension will run through until the end of the 2021-22 A-League season.
There is scope to keep Ninkovic at Sydney beyond his playing career with the club eager to help the former Red Star Belgrade man enter coaching through their academy.
“I’m incredibly happy here at Sydney FC and very pleased to have committed my future to the club until the end of my career,” said Ninkovic.
“This club is a family to me and I have had a lot of support from many members and everyone inside the club in recent weeks.”
Photo: Sydney FC
17 December
Swedish-born playmaker Amin Nazari has joined Malaysia Super League outfit Kedah FA for the 2020/21 season, the club announced.
Amin, 26, said he is eager to get started after having heard so much about Kedah.
“Before arriving in Kedah, I was aware of the progress of this team and my national team colleague Alvaro Silva has shared with me his experiences with Kedah,” said the 26-year-old who was born in Malmo.
“I’m thrilled to be with Kedah who are among the major title contenders in the Malaysian League … they have also won the FA Cup title this season.
“I’m determined to achieve success next season with the team. I’m looking forward to working under the guidance of coach Aidil Sharin.”
Nazari’s acquisition strengthens the 2019 Malaysia FA Cup champions ahead of the 2020 AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs Preliminary Round 2.
Kedah will play Hong Kong’s Tai Po FC at the Darul Aman Stadium in Alor Setar on January 21.
Photo: Kedah FA
