Far out Singh on the third page of this thread with no news. I’m getting worried he’s missed the boat this year unless it’s the ALM as he won’t be anywhere near a first team in a league that’s just kicked off of he’s still unattached.
Selfishly I'd like Singh with a club very soon, so hopefully he's nice and sharp for the 2 AWs friendlies in the States next month. Last time until June next year, that will see the AWs play genuinely tough opponents for any true measure of how they progressing towards WC 2026.
Singh still crucial re WC 2026, and need him fit and in form, then for any real hope of the AWs doing much.
But yeah also get it that his next club move, is hugely important, and as a free agent he can to an extent take his time to at last, find hopefully the right destination.
Given that the European season is now underway and there have barely been rumours of a transfer I think the odds of him ending up at Auckland are getting shorter by the day.
For the greater good of the national team set up I'd take him at either club, Auckland or Wellington. With the acknowledgment of rebuild your game, get regular minutes back home and if Europe comes knocking at anypoint mid season he's free to do what he has to do and gap it as he sees fit.
One year contract in the A-league. Aim to play 25 games. Build confidence and form - then head to a European league that suits him. That's what I would be advising him
Be a key player in a decent team and then look to reignite overseas one more time. I'd be okay if he went to Melbourne City or Sydney. But Nix or Auckland would be ideal.
Free agent Sarpreet Singh has been included despite not having a club, providing the playmaker with another shop window after being a key part of Bazeley’s Olympic squad.
“He’s a very important player for us and he’s obviously going through a difficult patch at the moment,” Bazeley explained.
“But he’s fit, he’s had a programme to maintain his fitness and he’s waiting for his next opportunity and will make some decisions over the next few weeks.”
Not sure what Zirkzee is up to these days (joined the shambolic Man Utd brigade IIRC), but he absolutely smashed the Serie A over the last couple of seasons...no offence to Sapreet, but at the minute they might as well be playing different sports given the difference in form and skill... This being said, I do hope Sapreet finds a good club soon
Zirkzee was always higher rated than Singh in Bavaria. He played alot more for the Bayern first team than Sarpreet, so big limitations as a comparison.
But Zirkzee's break out season on loan from Munich was with Anderlecht (16 goals in 38 games) in Belgium. Sort of league you'd think might be on Singh and his agent's radar.
Zirkzee has looked pretty good in limited minutes for United so far, barring his unfortunate tap in vs Brighton. What I would do for Singh to be remotely close to that level...
If fuk n Zirkzee can get a contract it’s crime there isn’t a queue out the door to sign Sarpreet!
Not sure what Zirkzee is up to these days (joined the shambolic Man Utd brigade IIRC), but he absolutely smashed the Serie A over the last couple of seasons...no offence to Sapreet, but at the minute they might as well be playing different sports given the difference in form and skill... This being said, I do hope Sapreet finds a good club soon
Zirkzee has looked pretty good in limited minutes for United so far, barring his unfortunate tap in vs Brighton. What I would do for Singh to be remotely close to that level...
Have fond memories of him playing v Arsenal on a pre-season tour, in Arsenal’s bad old days
Singh has signed for Portuguese 2nd Division club U.D Leiria. They’re currently 7th placed in that league.
Again I reiterate this is another very disappointing transfer following the Elijah Just move. He’s much better than a mid table second division club in Portugal.
Football is Brutal. I hope he tears it up and gets a better move in the near future for the benefit of our national team.
1 year with two options, whatever that means. Moral of the story re Just and Singh, try and get your club transfer sorted in June-July, rather than August when most Euro seasons have started.
Would they have been better to bypass the Nations Cup and Olympics respectively??
🇮🇳🇳🇿 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐡, bem-vindo à cidade do Lis 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟝 ✍🏼🇵🇹
Médio de 25 anos, com dupla nacionalidade neozelandesa e indiana, chega a Leiria ao fim de cinco temporadas ao serviço de clubes alemães, como Bayern München e Hansa Rostock.#MuitoMaisQueFutebol ⚜️ pic.twitter.com/HU7nqlCdyR
Very comparable quality to a-league if you believe those opta league power ranking stats. Let's just hope he can get himself straight into the team, stays fit, and scores some bangers
Jeez this guys career just limps along from one mid table second tier league team to another, cant get a break and when he does he gets injured. Hopefully he can get a good run of games and stay fit.
Looks like União de Leiria were once a strong top flight club in Portugal and they do play out of a modern 24,000 capacity stadium. Built for the UEFA Euro 2004. Club had lots of financial issues 10-15 years ago, and was relegated down to the 3rd tier.
Overall disappointing for Singh, but yes hopefully he finds his mojo and love for the game. It's been a pretty tough miserable 3-4 years now for him since Covid started. Then aka Just either Leiria get promoted, or he catches the eye of someone in a higher league.
It's not the move we wanted, but it honestly could've been a lot worse.
Former Mariners striker Paul Ayongo is currently at the club but it looks like he hasn't played any games so far this season, contracted till the end of June next year.
Will just be happy to see him playing to be honest. After initially doing well for Bayern II after moving over, Germany was a bit of a clusterduck for Sarpreet.
As a somewhat casual fan of Leiria I’m stoked, but at the same time it is indeed disappointing for both Singh and NZ football.
Apparently Leiria are trying pretty hard to get into the top flight. They did decently for a promoted side last season. Gorgeous stadium in a nice city, worse places to be in Portugal.
On the upside if he can settle in and have a great season a top flight team could come knocking. Both Porto and Benfica’s B teams are in the league so you never know who could be watching, it is a small country.
Let's not get our heads down too much. If he can get an extended run of games without getting injured or his confidence knocked. Really become a key performer for a club that we hope exceeds expectations in their league this summer then that could to be very fruitful for our man and NZ Football in the long run. Was fortunate enough to do a bit of travelling around Portugal last year. Absolutely stunning country full of friendly people. There are plenty of worse places in the world to be plugging away in your trade at.
Agreed with this. I’m stoked for the guy and not at all disappointed. Germany wasn’t working for him. Get out and play regularly and it’ll happen for him. In all walks of life people sometimes have to take a step back to move forward.RR
At this stage, I just want him to be playing somewhere. Get 30+ games starting under his belt and then re-evaluate things in a years time.
It's not like he has just opted for the cash and headed for India.
At this stage, I just want him to be playing somewhere. Get 30+ games starting under his belt and then re-evaluate things in a years time.
It's not like he has just opted for the cash and headed for India.
He wanted a fair whack from Auckland to be fair as well...
How far the talks got is another thing. But I would be surprised if second tier Portugal would come anywhere near close to what he was after $$$ wise.
Based on my limited googling....Quality wise I'd say the Portugal 2nd division is better or similar to the a League. And you are still in the shop window for Europe.