National team centurion James Younghusband is set to end his eight-month hiatus from the sport as he completed his move to reigning Philippines Football League champion Ceres-Negros last Friday.
Younghusband, 32, has not played a competitive match since seeing action for the Azkals in the group stage clash against Kyrgyzstan in the AFC Asian Cup last January in Dubai.
The move augurs well for Younghusband who is not just reviving his club career but also looking to make a case for inclusion to the national team that will vie for a spot in the 2022 World Cup.
“I’m really excited to be signing for Ceres-Negros FC,” Younghusband who has 12 goals in 101 appearances for the Azkals told the Inquirer.
“It’s a great honor to get the chance to train and work with all the players and staff of the club and I can’t wait to get started. The club has earned a reputation as a winner not just in the Philippines but also at the international level.”
Younghusband’s last club, the Davao Aguilas, folded at the end of last year, leaving him and his brother, Phil, without a club at the start of 2019.
While Phil has taken a sabbatical from football to attend to personal matters, James has been plotting his comeback in the past few months.
The midfielder turned down a move to a Thai Premier League club last month, saying that he needed more time to work on his fitness. James’ deal with Ceres is only up until the end of the season.
The signing of James could not have come at a better time for the reigning PFL champs, who have has lost key pieces the past two months. Omid Nazari was the latest player to leave the club, transferring to Indonesian giants Persib Bandung last week.
Despite the string of player departures from the club, the Busmen are still on top of the league with 31 points from 11 matches.