Sarpreet Singh can’t catch a break.
Just when it looked like the All Whites playmaker had finally put his injury woes behind him, paving the way for his long-awaited return to competitive football, Singh has been told he can’t play again until 2023 due to an administration error.
That is because his German second division club SSV Jahn Regensburg failed to register Singh’s loan correctly when they brought him back from Bayern Munich for a second stint, making him ineligible for selection until the next transfer window opens on January 1.
“As a result of a late notification of the loan transfer from Sarpreet Singh to SSV Jahn to the German Football League, no right to play for the first half of the 2022-23 season could be granted to date,” the club said in a statement.
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“This step can be made up for in the coming winter transfer window and the associated registration period, so that an application for the right to play can be submitted from this point in time.”
“We are very unhappy about the processes and circumstances that led to this situation,” added Regensburg chief executive Hans Rothammer.
“In a personal dialogue with Sarpreet Singh, we were able to explain the facts and, in particular, to express our regret.”
Singh has not played any football since the beginning of April due to a long-running battle with osteitis pubis.
He missed the All Whites’ entire World Cup qualifying campaign as well as the recent two-match series against Australia.
The injury also cost him a move to Bundesliga club Werder Bremen.
However, things were finally starting to look up for one of the most exciting young footballers New Zealand has produced.
The 23-year-old midfielder had resumed training with Regensburg and his 2. Bundesliga return appeared imminent until the latest setback.
Singh let his frustration known on social media, posting a blank picture with the caption “2022 what a joke” on Instagram.
The former Wellington Phoenix player scored five goals and made eight assists in 25 games for Regensburg last season before the injury cut his campaign short.
“Of course, that was a heavy blow for us too, which we first had to cope with together with Sarpreet,” Regensburg coach Mersad Selimbegovic said.
“But we are now looking ahead and will make the best of the situation in close cooperation with Sarpreet.”
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