MUSTAFIC TO FOLLOW BAIHAKKI TO PERSIJA

Mustafic’s departure to Indonesia meant that he is the fourth Singapore player to ply his trade in Indonesia following the recent signing of Baihakki, striker Mohd Noh Alam Shah joining Arema and defender Precious Emuejeraye to Sriwijaya FC.

Syed Faruk Alkaff, the manager of Tampines Rovers FC, confirmed Mustafic’s departure from the club.

“It is sad to lose these players as personally, they are also our friends and team-mates and we have been through a lot,“ said Faruk.

“But we should not be an obstacle to their career. They have the right to choose where they want to play.”

In the meantime, Persija feel a sense of triumph even before the league begins having signed Mustafic and Baihakki – all within a week – as they complete their foreign quota alongside Abanda Herman and Ricardo Caceres.

As far as their salaries with Persija are concerned, Indonesian international striker Bambang Pamungkas is still the club’s highest paid player at Rp 1 milliar (USD 100,000) annually.