SINGAPORE — Former Arsenal and Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant has dismissed suggestions that he is just another fly-by-night English Premier League footballer in his twilight years who is looking for a final big pay cheque in Asia.

The Englishman, who arrived in Singapore this morning (Jan 7), started his week-long trial with five-time S.League champions Tampines Rovers. The 32-year-old said he has “not come here for the money” and will not be making “over-the-top” demands.

Dressed in black with a Louis Vuitton haversack strapped over his shoulders, Pennant strolled into the arrival hall at Changi Airport Terminal 1 today ooking jet-lagged but still with a bright smile on his face.

He was greeted by a small group of fans and readily obliged requests for his autograph and wefies. The former England Under-21 star said he will embrace the S.League with the same positivity. “I am very determined to secure a contract. I have made a good name for myself in Europe and now football is getting bigger and better in Asia,” said Pennant, who joined Liverpool from Birmingham City in a £6.7 million (S$14.1 million) deal in 2006.

“So, if I can help the game in Singapore grow, excite the fans and create a legacy for the community and Singapore football, it would be fantastic.

“I would think I will fit in very well in the S.League and would like to bring my experience to help the young local players. I am not just here to play football, but to help, too.”

However, Pennant’s wages may well be a stumbling block for any potential deal to go through. After all, he was reportedly drawing £25,000 (S$52,500) a week at English side Wigan before leaving last June. If his trial is successful, TODAY understands he could earn as much as S$40,000 to S$50,000 a month, making him the highest-paid player in S-League history.

Former Hungarian midfielder Zsolt Bucs was reportedly one of the highest-paid S-League players at US15,000 (S$22,000) a month with Home United. Singapore’s highest-paid player, midfielder Hariss Harun, reportedly earns S$42,000 per month at Malaysian side Johor Darul Ta’zim.

But Pennant was at pains to stress that money is the last thing on his mind at the moment. “I have not come here for the money and there are certainly no over-the-top demands,” he said, declining to reveal any numbers.

“I know this isn’t Europe and so I have got to restrict my wage demands. They are going to pay me what I deserve, and that’s how football is.”

According to former Singapore defender R Sasikumar, now a FIFA-licensed agent who helped broker this deal, Pennant is here in Singapore for a fresh challenge and not a big pay day.

“I don’t think Pennant is going to fly all the way here not knowing the base wages that he will be offered,” Sasikumar told TODAY. “He knows what to expect and the fact that he’s here probably shows that it’s around the region that he’s comfortable with.

“His main motivation now is to ensure that Tampines and the S.League can provide him with a platform to showcase what he can offer. He wants to make an impact in Asia, and may possibly try to get a career after football in Asia, following in the footsteps of (players-turned-TV pundits) Steve McMahon and Paul Parker.”

Pennant had an unsuccessful trial with Thai club Muangthong United back in November. When asked why the deal fell through, the player said: “I don’t know, honestly. Ask Muangthong. But I enjoyed my time there.

“And then my representative said one of the biggest teams in Singapore is interested in me. So I thought it would be a good opportunity to try something new.”

He also said the stint in Thailand made him much more prepared for Singapore. “I am in a great shape. I was in Thailand for about a month and even back home I was training with a local team,” he said. “I will be just as ready to go for the new season as the Tampines players.”