Wagner looking to do his bit for Tampines

By Gabriel Tan

Wagner was unveiled on Friday as the Stags' marquee signing for 2013 and brings with him a wealth of experience having spent his entire career in Argentina.

The 27-year-old attacking midfielder last played for Defensa Y Justicia but spent three seasons playing for giants Racing Club from 2008 to 2011.

Although he admitted it would take him awhile to get used to life in Singapore, Wagner revealed he is relishing the new challenge.

"I would like to thank everybody for this opportunity in Singapore," he said. "I come from a country that is far away from Singapore but I'm very happy to be here.

"I'm pleased to join a club like Tampines. I've already met very good people and received good support from my colleagues in the team.

"I will do my best to achieve good results for the team and fulfil the expectations we have.

"At first I didn't know much about Singapore. In Argentina, we know more about English and Spanish football.

"I had to do some research to learn about the culture here. The food is still a challenge for me but slowly I'm adapting."

As a marquee player, Wagner is exempt from taking the mandatory 2.4km fitness test that all S.League players have to pass in order to be eligible to play in the competition.

However, the Argentinean showed was determined to be part of the team and participated in the test, and comfortably passed in the process.

Wagner insisted he was determined to show he was willing to put in the hard yards for the team.

"It was a challenge to take the test because I had a short time [to prepare for it]," he revealed.

"But I wanted to give my best and show I'm in good condition. It was a challenge but I want to show I'm keen to put all my effort into the team."

Tampines chairman Teo Hock Seng explained the club had gone through an extensive search before deciding on Wagner as their big-name signing, and revealed a main reason in choosing him was because they were looking to address a particular area in the side.

"We tried various means to find a suitable marquee player," he said.

"When the announcement about the marquee player rule was made, Tampines weren't just looking for a player in an position.

"Most of our players are very comfortable in their own position, but our technical committee advised that it would be good for us to get a classy attacking midfielder.

"We concluded Martin Wagner would fit our bill in terms of technical ability and we believe he will fit into the team."

The Stags also unveiled ex-Hougang boss Nenad Bacina as their coach for the new season, and the Croat had no doubts his new Argentinean playmaker would help the club in their bid for silverware this season.

"Martin Wagner is new to the team," the 41-year-old said. "The rest are used to the league.

"But he comes from a stronger league and we are definitely looking for him to help us.

"I don't want to put pressure on a single player because it is about team work, and I hope he will gel with us very well and make us stronger this season.

"We don't have to lie - the target is always the same for a club like Tampines.

"We'll be playing in four competitions this year - three domestic and one continental - and we're looking to go far in all of them."

Wagner is one of eight new signings at the Clementi Stadium this year, including Singapore internationals Khairul Amri, Shahdan Sulaiman and Shaiful Esah, Japanese defenders Seiji Kaneko and Kunihiro Yamashita and ex-Geylang United goalkeeper Ridhuan Barudin.

Tampines Rovers squad for 2013 season

Goalkeepers: Sasa Dreven, Ridhuan Barudin

Defenders: Seiji Kaneko, Kunihiro Yamashita, Ismadi Mukhtar, Jufri Taha, Shaiful Esah, Anaz Hadee

Midfielders: Martin Wagner, Shahdan Sulaiman, Firdaus Kasman, Mustafic Fahrudin, Imran Sahib, Jamil Ali

Forwards: Ahmed Fahmie, Khairul Amri, Aleksandar Duric, Sead Hadzibulic, Fazil Zailani