Hong Kong international Shinichi Chan makes Spain switch, set to make Real Union debut
- 20-year-old has joined the Spanish third-tier club on loan until June next year
- In the Hong Kong Premier League, Lee Man have signed Sierra Leone international Alie Sesay
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Hong Kong international Shinichi Chan has completed his loan move to Spanish side Real Union after receiving a work permit and finalising his registration.
The Japan-born left back travelled to Spain last July to have a trial at third-tier club Real Union, and has now joined on loan until June next year.
Chan missed out on joining during the summer transfer window because of issues surrounding his work permit, but had been training with the first team, and appeared in friendly matches.
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Hong Kong Premier League side Kitchee, who Chan was playing with in the city, announced the move on Friday.
“I would like to thank the fans for their support and interest,” Chan said. “I have learned a lot from the preseason friendlies already, and now I will soon play in official matches upon the completion of my registration.
“I look forward to giving my best performance on the pitch, and improving myself as a player from this remarkable experience.”
Chan, who has already been capped four times by Hong Kong, made his Kitchee debut at the age of 16.
The former Sapling Cup MVP made his Premier League debut in February 2019 and went on to become a regular starter for Kitchee, playing in the AFC Champions League group stages last year.
He could make his debut as early as Sunday, when his team face league leaders Eldense at home.
Real Union currently sits in 11th place in the 20-team league, just three points above the relegation zone. The team have won seven, lost seven and drawn five in 19 matches so far this season.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong Premier League leaders Lee Man have announced the signing of the Sierra Leone international Alie Sesay.
The 28-year-old centre-back began his career at Leicester City in 2012 but never played a game for the English side.
The former Arsenal academy player went on to play in leagues across Sweden, Greece, Bulgaria and Azerbaijan from 2017. He last played for Indonesian outfit PSIS Semarang.
“Lee Man is a club with vision and long-term plans,” Sesay said. “I am very happy to be a part of it and hope to help the team achieve great results and make history.”
The London-born Sesay has 10 caps for Sierra Leone, winning the first of them in October 2014.
His previous international matches came last June when he started two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in five days. The West African side lost 2-1 to Nigeria before securing a 2-2 draw against Guinea-Bissau with two late goals.
The journeyman is likely to make his debut on January 29, when Lee Man play Sham Shui Po in the league.
Elsewhere, Resources Capital have snapped up former Hong Kong international Philip Chan Siu-kwan on a free.
The 30-year-old, who can play as a central midfielder or full-back, has been without a club since leaving Kitchee last July.
