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2 European signings unveiled by Hong Kong’s Lee Man, including a current international striker, for next trophy tilt
- Estonia international Henri Anier joins along with Dutch Eredivisie player Mitchel Paulissen and Hong Kong international Wu Chun-ming
- Anier, who has 87 caps, has played in Scotland, South Korea and Thailand, while Paulissen has spent his career to date in the Netherlands’ top tier
Lee Man have announced the signings of an Estonia international and a Dutch Eredivisie player as they set their sights on toppling domestic heavyweights Kitchee in the new Hong Kong football season.
The ambitious club have high hopes for their two latest European signings: striker Henri Anier, who has 87 caps for Estonia including last month’s two Euro 2024 qualifiers, and SC Cambuur midfielder Mitchel Paulissen.
Both have joined last season’s Hong Kong Premier League runners-up on one-year contracts, along with Hong Kong international Wu Chun-ming, from Eastern.
“There are not too many players from Europe in the Hong Kong Premier League and we hope their arrival can bring something new to the fans,” Lee Man head coach Tsang Chiu-tat said.
“Both players are of high quality, as you can tell from their CVs, and we hope they can adapt to the team as soon as possible as we prepare for the new season and the AFC Champions League qualifying round.”
Anier, 32, played for Thai League I side Muangthong United last season, scoring 11 goals in 31 matches.
The striker also played for K-League club Suwon in the 2019 season, scoring four goals from 21 appearances. His previous clubs include Scottish sides Motherwell, Dundee United and Inverness, and a number of clubs in continental Europe.
“I always like challenges and to come out of my comfort zone to put myself in places I have never been to before,” Anier said when introduced to the media on Saturday.
“I don’t know too much about Hong Kong football, although I have been in Asia before, in South Korea and Thailand.
“But I have been here for a week and am happy with everything – the facilities are good and the guys are friendly. We are now working hard for the preseason.”
He said his engagement in Hong Kong would not affect his international prospects, and represented a new challenge at the right time in his career.
“I have represented Estonia for more than 10 years, and love my country,” he said. “Every time the national coach calls me up, I will give my best effort.”
Paulissen, 30, has spent his entire career in the Netherlands, starting with Roda JC in 2011 before joining Cambuur in 2019.
“I have never left the country before, but this is an important time for me to choose Asia because I am waiting for new challenges,” he said. “I know Lee Man are a good club and the people are friendly here. I want to see what can come up here in my career path.”
With the arrival of Anier, Lee Man – who already had strikers Everton Camargo and Givanilton Ferreira, and have signed Paulinho Simionato from Wofoo Tai Po – have allowed Manuel Bleda to go on loan to Eastern.
Tsang said the arrival of Hong Kong international Wu could help strengthen his midfield.
Scott’s inspirational recovery from Man Utd heartbreak to Hong Kong glory
“He can play a number of positions from midfield to defence and can give us more options,” the coach said.
Wu, 25, said he wanted to win silverware with Lee Man.
“I won the FA Cup [in 2016] with Pegasus but hardly had any involvement as a young player at that time,” Wu said. “Lee Man are an ambitious club, as we all know, and I hope I can help the club to win trophies.”
Tsang said the club’s AFC Champions League qualifying playoff at home to Bali United would be played at Hong Kong Stadium on August 16, with BC Rangers taking on Haiphong of Vietnam at Mong Kok Stadium the day before.
Lee Man have announced the signings of an Estonia international and a Dutch Eredivisie player as they set their sights on toppling domestic heavyweights Kitchee in the new Hong Kong football season.
The ambitious club have high hopes for their two latest European signings: striker Henri Anier, who has 87 caps for Estonia including last month’s two Euro 2024 qualifiers, and SC Cambuur midfielder Mitchel Paulissen.
Both have joined last season’s Hong Kong Premier League runners-up on one-year contracts, along with Hong Kong international Wu Chun-ming, from Eastern.
“There are not too many players from Europe in the Hong Kong Premier League and we hope their arrival can bring something new to the fans,” Lee Man head coach Tsang Chiu-tat said.
“Both players are of high quality, as you can tell from their CVs, and we hope they can adapt to the team as soon as possible as we prepare for the new season and the AFC Champions League qualifying round.”
Anier, 32, played for Thai League I side Muangthong United last season, scoring 11 goals in 31 matches.
The striker also played for K-League club Suwon in the 2019 season, scoring four goals from 21 appearances. His previous clubs include Scottish sides Motherwell, Dundee United and Inverness, and a number of clubs in continental Europe.
“I always like challenges and to come out of my comfort zone to put myself in places I have never been to before,” Anier said when introduced to the media on Saturday.
“I don’t know too much about Hong Kong football, although I have been in Asia before, in South Korea and Thailand.
“But I have been here for a week and am happy with everything – the facilities are good and the guys are friendly. We are now working hard for the preseason.”
He said his engagement in Hong Kong would not affect his international prospects, and represented a new challenge at the right time in his career.
“I have represented Estonia for more than 10 years, and love my country,” he said. “Every time the national coach calls me up, I will give my best effort.”
Paulissen, 30, has spent his entire career in the Netherlands, starting with Roda JC in 2011 before joining Cambuur in 2019.
“I have never left the country before, but this is an important time for me to choose Asia because I am waiting for new challenges,” he said. “I know Lee Man are a good club and the people are friendly here. I want to see what can come up here in my career path.”
With the arrival of Anier, Lee Man – who already had strikers Everton Camargo and Givanilton Ferreira, and have signed Paulinho Simionato from Wofoo Tai Po – have allowed Manuel Bleda to go on loan to Eastern.
Tsang said the arrival of Hong Kong international Wu could help strengthen his midfield.
“He can play a number of positions from midfield to defence and can give us more options,” the coach said.
Wu, 25, said he wanted to win silverware with Lee Man.
“I won the FA Cup [in 2016] with Pegasus but hardly had any involvement as a young player at that time,” Wu said. “Lee Man are an ambitious club, as we all know, and I hope I can help the club to win trophies.”
Tsang said the club’s AFC Champions League qualifying playoff at home to Bali United would be played at Hong Kong Stadium on August 16, with BC Rangers taking on Haiphong of Vietnam at Mong Kok Stadium the day before.