Theerathon leaves Buriram, joins Kirins
Thailand skipper Theerathon Bunmathan, in a surprise move, has parted ways with defending champions Buriram United and opted to join the ranks of their bitter foes SCG Muang Thong United.
Theerathon, voted best player of the Thai League in 2013 and named in the AFC Dream Team in the same year, will start playing for the Kirins in the second half of the Thai League.
According to a Buriram United official statement released on Wednesday night, the Thunder Castle have decided to release Theerathon Bunmathan for Muang Thong United.
Buriram manager Tatthep Pitakpoolsin said: “Theerathon informed me that he wants to leave the team to go and test his skills in either the J-League or K-League.”
Tatthep added: “There were reports that many [foreign] teams were interested in Theerathon but in the end, no one approached us.
“On the other hand, there were some Thai League teams who had expressed their interest in signing him, so we gave Theerathon the option to pick a team for himself and he opted for SCG Muang Thong United.”
Tatthep praised Theerathon’s services to the club.
“Buriram United and Theerathon Bunmathan have a very close relationship. He joined us when the club was established and we went through all difficulties together.
“We realise that Theerathon’s decision to quit the team will hurt the fans but that is how it is in professional football.
“Today, Theerathon has chosen to be with our rivals but we will keep supporting him in his role as the Thai national team captain.
“Buriram United will move forward as we have to work hard to defend all the titles we captured last year.”
Theerathon joined Buriram in 2010 and went on to win every local tournament, including four Thai League crowns (2011, 2013, 2014, 2015) and an equal number of titles in the FA Cup (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015) and the League Cup (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015). He also won the King’s Trophy (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016) and Mekong Club Championship (2015) with the club.
Muang Thong coach Totchtawan Sripan welcomed the news of Theerathon joining the club, but added that the celebrated winger would have to fight for his place in the team.
“It is a good to have another national player as it will make the team stronger.
“However, there is competition in every team and it is the best player who gets a place in the starting line-up.
“To have so many national players in the team can take its toll on our efforts as Thailand have a busy international calendar ahead.”
Meanwhile, Muang Thong moved to the top of the league after defeating Suphanburi 1-0 on Wednesday night with Cleiton Silva scoring the winner from a first-half penalty.
Charyl Chappuis, who has been out of action for more than a year, came on as a substitute in the second half for Suphanburi, but couldn’t help his side net the equaliser.
In the other match on Wednesday night, Army United and Sukhothai drew 1-1.