Hong Kong fallen giants Lee Man and Kitchee swing axe to release 25 players
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Henri Anier, the local league's joint-top scorer during Lee Man's invincible 2023-24 season, 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 America.
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.
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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.
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