AFTER weeks of waiting the news many football fans in Solomon Islands has been waiting for has been revealed, Raphael Lea’i has had his paper works sorted and is officially a FK Velez Mostar’s player.
This was confirmed in a statement by Bosnia-Herzegovina journalist, Nermin Bise.
Following his signing with the Bosnia-Herzegovina club, Raphael could not play because of some paperwork which needed to be completed before making his debut.
The paperwork includes translating of Raphael’s school certificates, residence permit and work permit.
Velez Mostar has worked tirelessly to sort out the issue and has now completed the task giving young Rafa the green light to play in the Bosnia-Herzegovina premier league season.
“All procedures were finally completed and exactly two months since his arrival Raphael is officially a Velež player.
“A few days ago, a confirmation came from Belgrade that the work permit and visa have been resolved for Raphael Lea’i Ohanu Jr, the Solomon Islands national team player and now this extremely talented footballer is available to Nedim Jusufbegović,” he stated.
According to Bise’s report, the news of Rafa being cleared as an official player for Velez Mostar will certainly delight all Velež fans who have been eagerly waiting for him to perform in the Born jersey.
He will probably wear the number 27 jersey.
Rafa is becoming well known in Bosnia and has even caught the attention of a respected sports journal Marco from Spain who wrote about him, while the official FIFA website dedicated him a significant space.
Bise reported that the mention of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the great FC Velež by these two sources is a huge advertisement for both the club and the state, because Rafa’s arrival to the ranks of the Borns is the first case that one player from this island state in Oceania comes to play in Europe.
Rafa’s official premiere could follow as early as Sunday when Velež welcomes Freedom.
By CARLOS ARUAFU
Solomon Star, Honiara
