Global Cebu winger joins Thai league

MANILA, Philippines — Azkal Hikaru Minegishi is leaving Global Cebu FC to ply his trade in the Thai League 1 under Pattaya United banner.

The Blue Dolphins recently announced the drafting of the Fil-Japanese winger as their Asean import for the 2018 season.

“Signing this deal is a new challenge for me in my professional career and I’m very excited to be playing in the Thai League, where there’s a wealth of skilled, in-form players,” Minegishi said on Pattaya’s Facebook page.

Minegishi, who played for Sendai University at the college level, made his pro debut for Global in 2015 and helped the team place second in the inaugural Philippine Football League while earning his stripe as a regular for the Phl national team.

He looks forward to helping Pattaya improve on its eighth-place finish in Thailand’s premier league.

“I will put in the work to quickly adapt to the team’s system of play in order to help my new club to greater heights next year,” he said.

Minegishi was the newest Azkal to move to the Thai league after Javier Patino and Patrick Reichelt previously suited up for Buriram and Port, respectively. Another Philippine international, Mike Ott, currently sees action for Angthong in the second division.