After much speculation, Persebaya Surabaya have finally announced the signing of Singapore international Song Ui-young from recently-relegated Thai League 1 side Nongbua Pitchaya on Friday night.
Born in South Korea, Song was more recognized by Southeast Asian football fans from his time at Singaporean side Home United/Lion City Sailors, where he made a total of 163 appearances and scored 55 goals in his 12 years there as he established himself as one of Southeast Asia’s deadliest attacking midfielders.
A naturalized Singaporean citizen since 2021, Song moved to a struggling Nongbua side fighting against relegation early this year, making only eight appearances and scoring once as he failed to prevent the Gamecocks from succumbing to the drop.
After being previously linked with Persija Jakarta during his time at Home United, Song finally got his move to Indonesia when Persebaya snapped him up on a free following the expiration of his Nongbua contract. The 29-year old is set to become the Bajul Ijo‘s fifth foreigner for the upcoming 2023/24 season, after the contract extensions of Sho Yamamoto, Paulo Victor, and Ze Valente as well as the return of Bruno Moreira from Greek second-tier side Niki Volos.
With Persebaya also signing the likes of Kasim Botan, Ferdinand Sinaga, Wildan Ramdhani, Reva Adi Utama and Yohanes Kandaimu, the Bajul Ijo are set to secure their final foreigner for the upcoming season in the form of Serbian defender Dusan Stevanovic, with an official announcement for the former FK Vojvodina player’s signing to be made in due time.