Tigers signed ex-player Vitor Borges

Balestier Khalsa chairman S Thavaneson is looking forward to the start of the second half of the 2013 Great Eastern-Yeo's S-League.

He believes he has scored a coup after the Tigers completed the signing of Brazilian striker Vitor Borges just after the mid-season transfer window opened on Monday.

Borges is in his second stint at the Toa Payoh Stadium having played for Balestier for 18 months back in 2010.

While he scored only seven league goals during that period, Thava is excited over Borges' return.

Thava explained: "When he was first with us, he was just 21, young and raw, and it was the first time he was playing in Asia.

"Now that he's played in Indonesia, I think this change of environment (back to Singapore) will do him good.
"In fact, he wasn't that bad in 2010.

He did everything right, but just lacked that finishing touch his game needed."

Standing at 1.85m and weighing 87kg, Borges, 24, is built like a tank.

He looks like the sort of striker who could give opposition defenders nightmares aAnd he seems to have refined his finishing ability.

Since leaving Balestier, he has scored four goals for Hougang United in six months, before bagging 12 in 19 games for Indonesian side PSIS Semarang.

Borges is confident he can flourish and show Balestier fans his true ability.

He insists he is a better player now, saying: "I've now played four years in Asia and I've had the chance to play alongside and against many experienced players.

"I've learnt many things and I always continue to work hard.

"That's why I think I can do a lot better now. Soon, people can see for themselves."

Thava added: "He flew in at 10.30pm on Sunday and wanted to take part in training the next afternoon, when he could have had a rest.

"That shows how professional and hardworking this boy is."

Borges has also improved his command of English - he hardly spoke a word in 2010 - and now can even converse in Bahasa Indonesia.

The 24-year-old replaced Korean forward Jung Hee Bong who was released by the club.