Hassan close to Thai move

SINGAPORE — A dream move to one of Asia’s leading football leagues looks likely to come true for Hassan Sunny, with the Singapore national goalkeeper set to join Thai Premier League club Army United FC.

TODAY has learnt that Army United have agreed to sign the 30-year-old, who currently plays for Great Eastern YEO’s S-League side Tampines Rovers, after he impressed during a three-day trial in Bangkok last week, which included a friendly against three-time Thai Premier League champions Muangthong United.

Tampines Rovers general manager Tay Peng Kee revealed that Army United were expected to provide more details, including the terms and conditions of the contract, by today.

Though he stressed that the deal had not been confirmed, Hassan, who has played 48 times for Singapore, remains hopeful it will happen.

“Of course, I (would) love to play in the Thai Premier League. It will provide me with a new challenge and at my age, this is the best time for me to try out a new career move,” he said.

“But the terms and conditions must also be favourable before I move. However, the prospect of playing abroad excites me and I hope things will work out.”

The 1.84m-tall Hassan, who has also turned out for former S-League champions Warriors FC, was one of the few players who impressed during Singapore’s disappointing campaign at last year’s ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup, where a 3-1 loss to arch-rivals Malaysia at the National Stadium consigned them to an early group-stage exit and ended their reign as defending champions. A product of Singapore’s National Football Academy, Hassan had been recommended by national goalkeeping coach John Burridge to Army United head coach Gary Stevens.

Based in the 20,000-seater Royal Thai Army Stadium in central Bangkok, Army United finished ninth in last year’s Thai Premier League. Two of their squad — midfielder Mongkol Tossakrai and forward Chainarong Tathong — were part of the Thailand side that won a record-equalling fourth AFF Suzuki Cup title last month.

Last month, a report by The New Paper said Hassan had been approached to attend trials with English Premier League club Leicester City with a view to joining Army United — both clubs are bankrolled by King Power International, a Thai travel and retail company.

If the move is completed, Hassan is likely to compete for the No 1 spot with the club’s current first-choice goalkeeper Kosin Hembut.

Said former Singapore international Tay: “Until we get the details, we don’t know what they are offering Hassan. But I’m sure Tampines Rovers will help negotiate the best possible deal for him.

“We want to ensure Hassan goes to Bangkok under favourable terms and conditions. While we are reluctant to let him go, we will not prevent him from moving. He is (almost) 31 and wants to try a new adventure in his career.”