KUALA LUMPUR: Last year’s FAM Cup runners-up Selangor United are aiming for a top five finish in the Premier League, which starts next month.
With a budget of RM6 million, Selangor United president Firdaus Mohamed believes his team will make heads turn in the second-tier competition.
“We have one of the lowest budgets in the Premier League, but I believe we will be competitive. Last year, our budget was only RM1.5 million compared to FAM Cup rivals PJ Rangers, who had RM6 million to spend, and we still managed to earn a promotion.
“I believe we will finish top five in our debut Premier League season,” said Firdaus.
He disclosed that his team have imposed a salary cap with the highest paid player drawing RM10,000 a month.
“We will be careful with our expenditure. The club will not pay more than RM10,000 to any player, regardless his status.
“We need to spend accordingly in order to sustain in the league.”
Selangor United have retained 16 players from last season. Among their new signings are former Selangor players, Rizal Fahmi Ab Rosid and Abdul Hadi Yahya.
The club have strengthened their squad by signing Argentina’s Sergio Aguero, Egypt’s Eslam Mohamed Zaki and Uzbekistan’s Nikita Pavlenko. They will confirm their fourth foreign signing soon.
“We’re still in the process of identifying the fourth import. The team will depart for Bandung on Wednesday for friendly matches to test options.
“A South Korean and a Haitian are currently trying out at our club,” he added.