United City has pulled out one last trick from the hat as it nears its 2021 AFC Champions League debut.
The reigning PFL champion announced that it has completed the signing of Jai Ingham to cap off what has already been a tremendous off-season rebuild for the club.
“New Zealand international and Brisbane Roar star-winger is our final addition to our AFC and PFL 2021 roster,” read the team’s statement.
Ingham, who hails from New South Wales, Australia, is a 27-year-old winger who stands at 5-foot-11.
Ingham is the 14th player to sign with United City during this transfer window. He joins the likes of Marky Hartmann, Justin Baas, and Curt Dizon in filling the holes left by the likes of OJ Porteria, Manu Ott, and Robert Lopez Mendy.
Back in 2013, Ingham started his career with Olympic FC before moving to the youth team of Brisbane Roar.
He debuted with Brisbane’s seniors team a year later.
Ingham had played for Hume City, Melbourne, and Central Coast before finally coming home to Brisbane in 2019.
Ingham has also represented New Zealand, playing for the All Whites four times.
The hope is that Ingham and his fellow newcomers will bring the club to the next level as it competes against continental heavyweights in the AFC Champions League. A player of his experience is expected to make an immediate impact in the team that is essentially the standard-bearer for club football in the Philippines.
“UCFC is proud to have Jai join the UCFC squad in May when we get ready for our inaugural AFC Champions League participation,” the statement continued.
Safe to say, any fears provoked by the exodus of some of United City’s top stars have been replaced by excitement of the times ahead.
