Solomon Islands star Raphael Lea’i close to profissional debut in Europe

Solomon Islands’ man of the moment Raphael Lea’i might be close to achieve another huge milestone: the 19-year-old striker is set to make his professional debut for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s side FK Velež Mostar. The club is scheduled to play this Sunday (26th Feb) against Tuzla City as the M:tel Premier League, as the top-tier league of the country is known, returns to action.

Recently, Oceania Football Center stated the player was not cleared for the first competitive match of the year for his new team as some paperwork was still to be fixed. But the bureaucratic matters were met as today the Solomon Islands Football Federation announced they successfully completed the transfer paperwork and the deal is complete, making the player eligible to be registered for the Mostar-based side.

“Solomon Islands international Raphael Lea’i International Transfer Certificate (ITC) has been delivered this morning by SIFF in the FIFA TMS online platform after a week of administrative work behind the scenes between the Bosina and Herzegovina club FK Velez with Marist FC and Henderson Eels for the player’s release and first professional registration in Europe“, said the football entity on a social media post, – “This means Lea’i is now cleared to register for FK Velez in the Premier League BH and should be available to play on Sunday 26 February against Tuzla City“, concluded SIFF media on social media release.

Lea’i has been getting worldwide attention as he turned into the first ever Solomon Islander to break through European football and sign a professional contract. An entire nation is supporting Raphael Lea’i as well the South Pacific brotherhood and Oceania football fans worldwide.