EASTERN have been dealt a severe blow on the eve of tomorrow's FA Cup final against Happy Valley at the Hong Kong Stadium with news that star midfielder Tam Siu-wai is to leave the club.
Tam, 23, said his sixth season with Eastern would be his last - but he refused to reveal which club he would be joining.
His contract ends on June 30 and Tam said he would not be signing a new deal with the Hong Kong champions.
The favourites for his signature are Instant-Dict, runners-up to Eastern in the First Division championship and in the Challenge Shield and losing finalists against South China in the Viceroy Cup.
With massive financial support from the company, Instant are believed to have offered Tam a two-year contract worth $1 million, making him the highest paid local player in the history of the professional game in Hong Kong.
Tam has also been linked with a move to South China, who are looking to sign a top quality midfield player in the continued absence through injury of their playmaker, Leslie Santos.