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Paul McNamara

Lee Man have announced a 12-player clear-out following a trophyless season for the deposed Hong Kong Premier League champions.
Henri Anier, the league’s joint-top scorer during Lee Man’s invincible previous campaign in 2023-24, is among the headline departures.
Defender Ryan Tafazolli has left following the expiry of his loan from Wycombe Wanderers, while Brazilian forwards Paulinho Simionato and Samuel Rosa have not had their contracts renewed.
Timothy Chow, the 19-year-old Hong Kong defender, is moving to university in the United States.

Szeto Man-chun, the assistant coach, has also left Lee Man. The club appointed Chu Siu-kei as permanent boss following the end of the season, after the 45-year-old stepped in as interim following Matt Holland’s axing in March.
With Ryoya Tachibana the only foreigner still on Lee Man’s books, and a number of the remaining key players the wrong side of 30, Chu has a huge rebuilding job on his hands.
However, Lee Man are expected to sign prolific striker Noah Baffoe, who left Eastern this summer after scoring 65 goals in two seasons with the club. Midfielder Barak Braunshtain, who is in the process of applying for a Hong Kong passport, is set to arrive from BC Rangers.
In addition to losing Baffoe, Senior Shield and FA Cup winners Eastern could see 21-year-old winger Timmy Ma Hei-wai transfer to mainland China.
The club have also released the quartet of Clement Benhaddouche, Victor Bertomeu, Carlos Perez and Nii Noye Narh. Vas Nunez trained with Eastern towards the end of the season, but the Hong Kong centre-back signed for Yanbian Longding in China League One.
Kitchee, treble winners as recently as 2022-23, reacted to their bitterly disappointing season by bidding farewell to 13 players.
On Monday, they confirmed that the Hong Kong pair of Leon Jones and Poon Pui-hin would depart following the end of their contracts. Sogho Ichikawa’s exit was also announced, although it was an open secret that the 20-year-old forward would convert his loan with Southern into a permanent deal.
The exits of Helio Goncalves and Fernando were revealed earlier this month. Fernando, 38, is poised to join champions Tai Po, while 39-year-old Goncalves is being lined up by Eastern District in the event the Division One club’s application to join the local Premier League is approved.
Goalkeeper Fynn Talley was surprisingly released, along with Aaron Rey, Luis Machado and the centre-forward pair of Sherzod Temirov and Welthon Sampaio.
Kitchee, who are still looking for a new manager to replace Edgar Cardoso, have said they would begin announcing new arrivals from early July. Among those expected to join are Callum Beattie, from Football Club, and the out-of-contract North District duo of goalkeeper Pong Cheuk-hei and midfielder Kendy Ikegami.
Kitchee are also searching for a new home, with Lee Man set to take up residence at Mong Kok Stadium. Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground, Lee Man’s previous base, is closed for maintenance until next March, and they get first choice over a new venue after finishing above Kitchee last season.

Ken Ng Kin, the club’s owner, told the Post that the 12-time champions were talking to the Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA) about moving into Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground.
“We are waiting for the HKFA to tell us the price list and the conditions ... HKFA and Kai Tak Sports Park are negotiating,” Ng said.
Along with the claims of Eastern District, meanwhile, HKFA are still considering whether to accept Chinese fourth-tier side Canton United into the Premier League.
A spokesman for Division One champions Citizen told the Post that the club would apply for promotion only if they could attract new sponsors.


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The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong’s fallen giants Lee Man and Kitchee swing axe to release 25 players

Striker Henri Anier is among 12 players being let go by Lee Man. Photo: Elson Li

The prolific Noah Baffoe (right) is set to join Lee Man after quitting Eastern. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Former Kitchee favourite Fernando (centre) is believed to be on the verge of joining Tai Po. Photo: Kitchee SC

Hong Kong triathlon big guns condemned to nervous National Games selection wait

Hong Kong triathletes (from left) Bailee Brown, Wong Tsz-to, Cade Wright and Robin Elg before collecting their silver medals at the China National Triathlon Championships. Photo: HKTA

Hong Kong head coach Andrew Wright has a tough decision to make. Photo: Dickson Lee

As women’s footballers juggle jobs, does Hong Kong need a professional league?

Hong Kong’s women’s team train in Tseung Kwan O last Sunday. Photo: Sun Yeung

Hong Kong’s players work on their strength and conditioning last Sunday. Photo: Sun Yeung

Hong Kong head coach Ricardo Rambo addresses his players. Photo: Sun Yeung

Sport

Football

Foreign players exit as both clubs rebuild after finishing 2024-25 campaign empty-handed, with several Hongkongers also on the move


Foreign players exit as both clubs rebuild after finishing 2024-25 campaign empty-handed, with several Hongkongers also on the move.


Hong Kong Premier League

Kitchee SC