SINGAPORE — Jermaine Pennant will officially become a Tampines Rovers player on Tuesday (Jan 19), after the former Arsenal and Liverpool winger agreed to terms with the five-time S.League champions today.

Club chairman Krishna Rama­chandra confirmed to TODAY that the Englishman — who celebrates his 33rd birthday today — will sign a one-year deal with the Stags, with an option for another year’s extension built into the contract. 

Pennant will be officially presented as a Tampines player at a media conference on Tuesday at Komoco Motors, the club’s main sponsor. His first game will be in a friendly match on Jan 20 against Johor Darul Ta’zim II, which features Singapore internationals Shahril Ishak and Baihakki Khaizan.

Pennant first told TODAY in an interview over lunch on Wednesday that he will join Tampines and he has been looking at various apartments for his new lodging. 

He also revealed that his family will visit him in Singapore on Feb 12.

He said he has no qualms about taking a 70 per cent pay cut from his last drawn wages at English side Wigan Athletic — reportedly £25,000 pounds (S$52,000) a week — as the stability, culture, cleanliness and good education system in Singapore make him want to raise his children here.

He also said he had turned down ­offers from South Korea, Australia and Malaysia to stay with Tampines.

Ramachandra did not disclose how much Pennant will be paid, but it is believed the former England ­Under-21 international will get a monthly salary of about S$45,000,  which could rise to almost S$60,000 with bonuses related to number of appearances, player performance and team achievements during the course of the season.

Ramachandra did tell TODAY that club sponsor Komoco Motors — the sole distributor of Hyundai cars in Singapore — is contributing to Pennant’s salary.

“Komoco and Hyundai have stepped up to say that they will help to support Pennant’s wages. Mr Teo Hock Seng said he will support this because we need to do this for Singa­pore football,” said the 44-year-old lawyer, referring to the former club chairman, who is also the managing director of Komoco Motors. Teo had stepped down as Tampines chairman last November.

“I am very heartened by Mr Teo’s continued enthusiasm for the club and for the S.League and Singa­pore football. That played a big part in sorting out our negotiations with Jermaine. And now, other sponsors are also coming forward.”

Although Pennant’s wages were a major issue in the discussions ­between club and player, Ramachandra believes the reason Tampines could conclude its negotiations with Pennant swiftly was the player’s own keen interest to play here. 

“I have to admit I am completely surprised and delighted at how quickly we were able to sort things out,” he told TODAY.

“To be honest, because of his calibre as a player, I was most concerned with his remuneration. But I think, for Jermaine, it was not strictly about the money. It is clear that the country has captured his heart. He has really fallen in love with Singapore as a place to live in and raise his family, and that really played a part and helped us out in the discussions.”

Pennant has made a strong ­impact during his one-week trial with Tampines. In a friendly match against Hougang United last weekend, more than 1,200 fans turned up to watch him in action. In recent years, the S.League has struggled to ­attract 500 fans to a game.

Ramachandra said that it was good to see such a buzz being created over local football and the S.League. “I hope it is sustained because that will only be good for Singapore football,” he said.

“More importantly, I hope it paves the way for other top players from overseas to consider Singapore as a place to play football, and to live in.” ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY AMANPREET SINGH