Fadhil Yunus
Former DPMM FC midfielder Blake Ricciuto will continue his term with Tanjong Pagar United after the Singaporean club confirmed his return for the upcoming 2022 season in the Singapore Premier League (SPL).
The former DPMM FC fan favourite, widely known for his ability as a combustive midfielder during his stint with the Gegar Gegar men, had previously left for Uruguay for a post-season break following the conclusion of the Singapore league season.
The club has since quashed uncertainty surrounding his future after announcing his return for the upcoming season, which is scheduled to commence next Friday.
Ricciuto carved his name in the history books of DPMM FC after playing an important role in the club’s title triumph in the SPL in 2019.
During his time with the Brunei outfit, the midfield general was renowned for his marauding runs and high energy, which in turn contributed to the team’s unprecedented success.
The Sydney-born, who is of Uruguayan and Italian descent, rarely missed a game with 23 league appearances under his belt and nine goals.
He was awarded both player and goal of the month for April in recognition of his stellar performances as DPMM FC cruised to the summit of the league.
However, the central midfielder’s time in Brunei came to an end after just one season following his decision not to renew his contract in December 2019.
During a pandemic-induced football season globally, Ricciuto appeared to have joined Spanish fourth tier club Velez CF in September 2020, but less than a month later administration delays saw his European adventure fall through.
In December that year, Singapore-based club Tanjong Pagar – who had rejoined the league after a six-year hiatus, signed him for the 2021 season.
The 29-year-old made 20 appearances for the Jaguars last season and contributed to the team’s fifth-place finish with two goals and five assists.
Ricciuto joins former DPMM FC teammate Charlie Clough who is currently playing in a league based in Southeast Asia, with the latter lacing up for Thai top flight club Nakhon Ratchasima FC.
The central midfielder follows the career paths of DPMM FC alumni Rodrigo Tosi and Roberto Alviz, having represented a Singaporean club after a spell in the Sultanate.
