UFL champ Global releases MVP De Jong

REIGNING United Football League champion Global has dropped Jason de Jong from its roster for the upcoming UFL season after the former national team star reportedly signed for a Belgian club.

De Jong emerged Most Valuable Player during the club’s run to the crown last season. But he was slowly eased out of the lineup in the FA League Cup late last year following his decision to retire from the national team.

De Jong’s release from Global is the biggest development of the offseason as the league deadline for dropping lapsed last week.

Global also released Milad Behgandom, German Rodriguez, and defender Delon Patrick Yao while FA League Cup champion Ceres surprisingly excluded Jin Ho Kim, who was crucial in their run to the title last year.

Loyola Meralco Sparks have decided to enter the League without the services of Baba Sampana and Samuel Bonney.

Other big-name departures include Raymark Fernandez (Green Archers United), Emmanuel Mbata (Kaya), Arnel Amita and Ref Cuaresma (Manila Jeepney), Shayan Jafary Dastjerdi and Yi Young Park (Pachanga Diliman), and Nathan Alquiros, Matthew Nierras, and Ousseynou Diop (Stallion).