Raphael Lea’i set to leave his club in Europe amidst unforeseen challenges

Breaking news are coming from Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Solomon Islands football star Raphael Lea’i is considering to leave his club Velež Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to return to his home country, Oceania Football Center can confirm. The 19-year-old striker told his advisors and his club board he wants to go home: “Raphael wants to go home. He said he misses his family and friends“, said Adnan Dizdarević, member of the coach staff of Velež; the situation was reinstated by local journalist Nermin Bise in a social media post and also in interview to Oceania Football Center: “according to my information Raphael wants to come home“, he mentioned.

The striker has been in the European country since the beginning of the year; he played for the club in 13 matches, scoring twice and providing two assists across the past and current European season. Recently, the Mostar-based club announced the departure of the head coach Nedim Jusufbegović: “Raphael was not treated well by the coach who left. He played very little and gave a lot“, stated Nermin Bise to Oceania Football Center. The player in fact had very little game time since joining Velež – Lea’i managed to play only a complete match – in the last season against FK Sarajevo. The 19-year-old played only two matches for the club in the current season coming from the bench – in the most recent match Lea’i was not included in the team list. The lack of competitive football for the player can be another issue for his decision to part ways with the club. Dizdarević said the player will not take part in the club’s next games while an official announcement of Rapha’s fate is decided.

The news came as a shock for Oceania football fans: despite the little game time, the rising star was developing his game and started the current season on a high scoring in the 5-0 win of his club against Zvijezda. The player turned himself into the first Solomon Islander to play professional football in Europe, being this the best moment of his career – one of the reasons for the big surprise. “He certainly will not be able to play until the end of his contract for any club – if he definitely leaves Velež Mostar“, said Adnan Dizdarević. The reality of professional football is very different from what is usual in South Pacific – if Lea’i definitely leaves the club, he will not be able to sign for anyother team, even in his home country, until the finish of his current contract that is on mid-2024, unless both parties agree on a contract termination.

It is very surprising the news on Raphael’s case, a player that was slowly turning into a fan favourite in the city and now, with the departure of his former head coach, could have a bright a new start under a new guidance and possibly pave his way into the starting team. Usually the striker is regarded as one of the most strong-minded players of Solomon Islands by local football community and former players that are close to the rising start; the decision of his on departing from European football comes as a shockwave – making many fans wonder if that is really the only reason behind this tough conclusion.

It is expected that the club can make a public statament in the coming weeks about Raphael’s situation in Mostar. At this point, according to local sources, the Solomon Islander had already made his mind on leaving the club to return home citing homesickness issues, but official announcements are yet to go public by any of the parties. As the story develops, the player will continue sidelines, although a final answer is yet to be declared. Oceania Football Center will follow closely the developments of the Raphael Lea’i-Velež Mostar case.