From one Thai sensation to another, it seems that Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo has a thing for quick, talented wingers from the Land of Smiles. Following the departure of Chanathip Songkrasin to Kawasaki Frontale in the off-season, Consadole has landed themselves the perfect like-for-like replacement, in the form of Buriram United’s Supachok Sarachat.
Having been honed in the Buriram United academy, Supachok has clocked more than 100 league appearances for the Thunder Castles, scoring 34 goals for them in the process, and all of that was achieved before he could even hit 25 years of age. The 23-year-old has also impressed internationally with the Thailand national team and his excellent form for club and country has earned Supachok a deserved move overseas.
Consadole has managed to convince the Buriram higher-ups to allow Supachok to join them in an initial six-month loan deal, which could be extended for an additional six months before an option was then offered to make the deal permanent.
This is not too dissimilar to the deal that landed Chanathip in Hokkaido, with the pocket rocket joining the Northerners in an initial 1.5-year-long loan deal from Muangthong United that was then made permanent.
Consadole chairman Hirokatsu Mikami personally traveled to Buriram and met with the Thunder Castles’ head honcho Newin Chidchob to discuss the transfer, with both parties agreeing to the loan move.
“This is a good chance for Supachok to demonstrate his skills and prove himself in a league which has a higher standard than the Thai League,” said Newin, as quoted from Bangkok Post, “This is an important step for Supachok as a professional footballer. I believe the experience he would gain from the Japanese club would also be useful to the Thai national team.”
With Buriram still chasing a domestic treble, it’s unclear whether Supachok will join Consadole after the conclusion of both the 2021/22 Thai League Cup and the 2021/22 Thai FA Cup. The Thunder Castles are currently in the semifinal of both competitions, facing off against Leo Chiangrai United in the League Cup and Suphanburi FC in the FA Cup, while the 2021/22 Thai League 1 title has been successfully delivered to the Chang Arena.