Kota Kinabalu: German Hendrik Helmke has been confirmed as the new signing by the Sabah FA for the remainder of the season.Sabah FA Secretary General Alijus Sipil said on Monday that the 25-year-old former Finnish side player IFK Mariehamn will be replacing Australian Michael Baird who according to him is unlikely to recover from his knee injury in the foreseeable future."It is rather unfortunate that we have to make the decision but based on the doctor's reports his injury is serious and with the first half of the season still yet to be completed and the Malaysia Cup competition is coming up, we have no other choice but to look for a replacement."
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He confirmed that the other Australian import Brandan Gan who is recovering from an appendix surgery will keep his place in the team.Alijus also said midfielder Sanjos Sundawat who last played for Sabah in the 2005 season has been recruited to fill up the one available quaota and his name has been submitted to FAM.
Hendrik who is the product from the Hamburg SV football club academy is unlikley to play for the team against Perak tonight.He is still waiting on his International Transfer Request form (ITC) from Fifa and it would normally take three working days and he will most likely be making in his debut at home against Felda United on May 4.
