PNG Hekari FC have secured the services of Kula FC midfielders Tallis Primo and Joshua Urro as the club continues strengthening its squad for the 2027 OFC Pro League season. The two players were officially handed over to Hekari’s management on Tuesday, October 13, following an agreement involving Kula FC executives and head coach Percy Mataio, who confirmed the move directly to Oceania Football Center.
For 23-year-old Tallis Primo, the move represents a remarkable step in a football journey that began in the Trobriand Islands, part of Milne Bay Province in Papua New Guinea. Growing up in a village surrounded by the islands’ cultural traditions, Primo had limited exposure to football at the national level before travelling across the sea to Alotau in 2025, where he attended a week-long selection trial for the newly established Kula FC.
His performances earned him a place in the club’s inaugural squad for the PNGFA Premier Soccer League (PSL), giving him an opportunity to compete against some of the country’s established teams. Over two seasons under Mataio, Primo developed into an influential central midfielder, capable of contributing both in possession and in attacking situations.
According to Mataio, Primo’s performances attracted interest from rival PSL clubs, but the young midfielder chose to remain at Kula FC to continue his development under the coach’s guidance. That decision helped him establish greater consistency and become a regular presence in the team’s midfield, eventually attracting attention from PNG Hekari’s coaching staff.
The move is equally significant for Joshua Urro, who captained Kula FC during its first two seasons in the national competition. A versatile player primarily used in central defence or defensive midfield, Urro impressed Mataio with his ability on the ball, determination in recovering possession and influence on his teammates.
Unlike Primo, Urro already has considerable experience representing Papua New Guinea in international youth competitions. He was part of the country’s squad at the 2019 OFC-UEFA Youth Development Tournament in Vanuatu and later represented Papua New Guinea at the 2022 OFC U-19 Championship in Tahiti. In 2023, he was also selected for the national squad competing in the OFC Men’s Olympic qualifying tournament in New Zealand.
Urro’s versatility offers Hekari an additional option across defensive positions, while Primo brings attacking qualities and the experience gained during his development at Kula FC.
Mataio explained that the two players attracted the attention of PNG Hekari’s United States-based head coach Matt Badiee, who took charge of the professional club in preparation for its second OFC Pro League campaign.
Their departures also represent an important moment for Kula FC, which was established in 2025 to provide footballers from Milne Bay Province with opportunities at the national level. In just two seasons, the club has helped develop two players who are now progressing towards the country’s professional football environment.
For PNG Hekari, the arrivals come as the club rebuilds following a difficult inaugural OFC Pro League campaign in 2026, when it finished bottom of the eight-team competition. The Papua New Guinean side has already confirmed the retention of experienced goalkeeper Dave Tomare, with further squad preparations underway ahead of the new season.
The 2027 OFC Pro League is scheduled to begin on January 22, with PNG Hekari looking to improve its competitiveness under Badiee. For Primo, the opportunity means a journey that began in a remote island community has now reached Oceania’s professional football stage, while Urro takes another step forward after years of development through Papua New Guinea’s domestic and international football systems.
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