Hong Kong international Wong Wei secured to help new under-23 team in Premier league
- Midfielder Wong is one of five overage players signed to help develop young players
- New season will kick off with eight teams in Premier League on September 18
Hong Kong international Wong Wei has been signed to lead the newly formed Hong Kong under-23 side with the Premier League set to kick off in a fortnight with eight teams despite the withdrawal of Happy Valley and Pegasus during the close season.
The midfielder, who will turn 29 before the start of the new season, was revealed on Thursday to be one of the five overage players in the new team, which will be financially supported by Football Association vice-chairman Eric Fok Kai-shan for the next three seasons to the tune of an annual budget of HK$3 million.
Wong was in the past hailed as one of Hong Kong’s brightest young talents but failed to settle with heavyweights Eastern during the past two seasons after moving from champions Tai Po in the summer of 2019.
“I hope my experience can help the new team, which features mostly young players, as this is very similar to my own career development,” Wong said. “My career with Eastern over the last two seasons doesn’t look that promising and when the Hong Kong under-23 coach asked me if I would join the new team, I only thought for a short while before making the decision.
“Playing for this new team will of course be a great challenge, but I am sure I have something to offer and help the young players grow. Maybe I can learn from them to help build my own career.”