Tampines Rovers have added firepower to their squad by signing defender Madhu Mohana. The Stags are also making their moves to rope in experienced striker Khairul Amri, who is in Hougang United's radar as well.
The Lions defender, who has signed a one-year-contract with the S.League giants, said he is determined to win the league title with the new club and also get major AFC Cup exposure. The Stags are racing against time to get their squad in shape ahead of their AFC Champions League Qualifier clash in January 2017.
Notably, due to wage-cut issues, the likes of Jermaine Pennant, Jordan Webb, Billy Mehmet, Izzdin Shafiq Afiq Yunos, Sufian Anuar and Fabian Kwok have left the team, which finished second in the league behind champions Albirex Niigata and eventually without a silverware.
Madhu was plying his trade with Warriors FC in the 2016 season. After spending three years with the now-defunct Lions XII, the 25-year-old had an ordinary season with the S.League team, who finished seventh.
However, the Singapore international is ready to win the league title with the Stags and is feeling confident as well after coming up with a decent show in the recently concluded AFF Suzuki Cup.
"My aim is definitely to try and win the S.League with Tampines. The club have not won the league since 2013 and I have not won the S.League title before," Madhu said, as quoted by The New Paper.
"After seeing foreign teams win the S.League in the last two seasons, it's time to restore local pride and I hope to be able to achieve that with Tampines next year.
"It was definitely a bad season for me earlier this year, but I felt I rebounded well to pick up my form during the Suzuki Cup."
Tampines coach Akbar Nawaz hailed the all-round capabilities of Madhu and said he will be an asset wherever he plays. With Hafiz Abu Sujad eyeing a contract with Thai Premier League club, the new signing will be a big boost to their backline.
"Madhu is an asset to any team, so we are glad to sign him. He reads the game well to make crucial interceptions, but I also like him because of his attacking capabilities," Nawaz said.
"Besides his long throws, Madhu is also one of the better defenders in Singapore who passes well such that he can build on his interceptions to launch attacks."
