Football Tribe SEA Editor
Brazilian forward Ricardo Bueno has officially departed Buriram United in what is shaping up to be a foreign player overhaul at the Thunder Castle.
Seven-time Thai League champions Buriram United are close to being left with a completely vacant foreign player quota, as the side released Brazilian forward Ricardo Bueno last week. The player was seen on social media preparing to depart Thailand and return to his homeland.
This move also leaves the fate of Argentian striker Bernardo Cuesta in doubt as Buriram’s final foreign player. The forward is also considered likely to leave in the transfer window as the Thunder Castle plot a complete replacement of their foreign contingent.
Breaking!!! ริคาร์โด บูเอโน่ ร่ำลาบุรีรัมย์ ยูไนเต็ดเป็นที่เรียบร้อย เป็นรายที่ 3 ต่อจากจอง แจ ยอง และอันเดรส ตูเญซ#BuriramXII #BuriramUnited pic.twitter.com/48gooSkWEE
— Buriram XII (@BRRXII) July 1, 2020
Both Bueno and Cuesta were signed by Buriram back in the December transfer window and were expected to form a formidable partnership up front to help the side recover from their narrow title loss last season. However, with a slow start to the season and the outbreak COVID-19, it seems like the Thunder Castle will now have to change plans.
This window also saw long-time talisman and leader Andres Tunez leave the club. The Venezuelan defender first claimed his early departure was intended to make himself available for the European transfer window, but he has since joined Thai League rivals BG Pathum United, in what is a major blow to the seven-time champions.
Buriram also parted way with their AFC quota player, as Korean midfielder Jung Jae-Yong left the club – after making just four appearances – to join Suwon FC in K League 2.
The side now faces an uphill battle to recruit new foreign players in the highly volatile post-COVID transfer market and will have to navigate both reduced funds and an international transfer ban in their efforts to bring in replacements before September.