Big transfer news as Rufo Sanchez, Paul Mulders, and Angel Guirado all sign with Global

With the UFL Preseason Cup scheduled to kick off this weekend, the league has released some of the squad lists, and heading the big transfer news is the announcement that Rufo Sanchez is officially a Global FC player.

According to Global’s website, the top-scorer in the last league tourney became a free agent in the middle of August and but has now found a home, joining Paul Mulders and Angel Guirado amongst their new stars.

The news is a huge boost to Global’s chances of regaining their UFL titles, as losing out to Stallion in both the league and cup hurt. Sanchez is the biggest name to move within the UFL and his transfer from the current champions to their rivals has sent a big message to the rest of the teams. Factoring in Paul Mulders, who has experience in the top flights of Dutch football, and long-time Azkal Angel Guirado, Global has a formidable squad ahead of the Preseason and UFL Cup.

However, despite Global manager Dan Palami saying that Sanchez was "a free agent after his deal with Stallion expired last month," and in addition to Sanchez's tweet goodbye to his former club, there is still the possibility that Stallion will contest the move, as their head coach Ernie Nierras has been adamant about keeping the prize striker.

With players needing a certificate of transfer from their former club to say they are no longer part of that club, there could still be some problems if Stallion refuses to sign off. Any such dispute would have to be reviewed by UFL General Manager Cesar de Larrazabal, who would make a recommendation to the Executive Committee, which would then vote on the issue.

Other transfer news

Speaking of Stallion, Green Archers United brought in former Stallion Jesse Martindale to shore up their defense, while the Army has four new recruits.

Even discounting Sanchez, Stallion FC has lost several big name players, with Lee Joo Young also swapping Stallion for Loyola, to replace the hole left by Mark Hartmann.

Global has been the busiest team so far with five new additions, though Mark Hartmann and Amani Aguinaldo will suit up for the U23 Azkals during the Preseason competition, returning for the UFL Cup afterwards.

Angel Guirado’s return to Philippine football will also be intriguing for fans as regular football could well help him reach his potential, and he’ll be joined by Paul Mulders in midfield, both of the Azkals stars looking to supply Rufo Sanchez up top in now the most feared squad across the Philippines. Jason De Jong and Ed Sacapano are also still with Global and given that the President’s Cup is well over, it appears their moves from Stallion and the Army respectively have been made permanent too.

Full-strength U23 Squad

The stacked Global line-up has allowed the team to release eight of their players, and even coach Brian Reid, to the U23 side. Global and Azkals manager Dan Palami, meanwhile, will take over Global coaching duties, to allow the U23s to field a full-strength playing and coaching staff.

Players from Global include the Angeles twins, Mark Hartmann, Jeffrey Christiaens and Amani Aguinaldo, while OJ Porteria from Kaya joins teammate Nick O’Donnell in the squad. With two players from Loyola, Stallion, and Kaya, three from the Archers, and five from Pachanga, and another five unaffiliated players, it’s a broad mixture.

Schedule

Games will kick-off this weekend with the UFL confirming some schedule changes. Four matches are now scheduled for Saturday, while the early morning kickoffs have been moved to Sunday morning:

Sept 7 (Saturday)
1400 – Cimarron v Nomads
1600 – Army v Loyola
1800 – Forza v U-23 Azkals
2000 – Navy v Stallion

Sept 8 (Sunday)
0800 – Green Archers v UIM
1000 – Global v Laos

And so the rivalry, controversy, and big news has kicked off well before the start of the UFL Cup and next year’s league. Ensuring competitive games for the Preseason, games will all be held at the Emperador Stadium with the full fixture list now available from the UFL. - AMD, GMA News