HONG KONG'S leading players may soon desert the territory in favour of Singapore.
Top expat performers have already sounded out the possibilities on offer with the new Singapore Professional Football League (SPFL), which is due to kick-off in April.
Former Singapore national coach, Douglas Moore, who is chief executive of the new league, said: 'I have had around a dozen inquiries from Hong Kong players and former Hong Kong players, asking what is happening with the new league.
'Most have sent a curriculum vitae and have backed this up with references from their former clubs. A couple of players have actually been here and trained and played with clubs coming to the end of their current season.' One player who impressed on a short stint in the Lion city was former Rangers, Kitchee and Kui Tan defender Billy Bone. He is believed to have agreed to terms for a two-year deal.
Contracts for the eight-team league will be issued in January with a pre-season tournament planned for March.
Although Moore would not name the Hong Kong players on his recruitment 'list', it is believed Eastern goalkeeper Iain Hesford and Frankwell's Tim Bredbury are among over half-a-dozen who have shown interest.