Buriram United were dealt a hammer blow yesterday when Malaysia Super League champions Johor Darul Ta'zim announced the signing of the Thai League 1 champions' top striker Diogo Luis Santo.
Diogo was the Thai top flight's highest scorer last season and named the country's best foreign player of the year.
The prolific Brazilian forward is the latest star to join the Malaysian side following on the footsteps of Aaron Niguez, Mauricio, and Malaysia forward Akhyar Rashid in the recent months.
"JDT are delighted to have signed Diogo Luis Santo from Thailand League champions Buriram United FC after the striker caught the attention of the club's top hierarchy in a friendly against JDT in 2017," JDT sporting director Martin Prest said in a statement.
"We have been looking at the Brazilian's performance since then. He was part of Buriram's 2018 league win and has a good proven goalscoring record in Thailand, winning two Golden Boots in four years. We considered Diogo after JDT played Buriram in a friendly in 2017, but cost was a factor for the club not pursuing Diogo then.
"JDT believe that Diogo will be a good addition to the squad ahead of our maiden AFC Champions League campaign and Malaysia Super League title defence."
Reports in the Thai press say his transfer fee is in the region of 100 million baht.
While Buriram are likely to be affected by the departure of the Brazilian star, their president Newin Chidchob is not worried.
"We will be champions again," Newin said during the club's new year party at Chang Arena before Diogo's transfer was announced.
He claimed the Thunder Castle have not yet unveiled their squad for the 2019 season because a number of their players are in the Thai team for the Asian Cup.
"But no matter who comes or goes, we will be champions again."
Dang joins Muang Thong
Vietnam goalkeeper Dang Van Lam has completed his move to Thai giants SCG Muang Thong United from Hai Phong.
The Russian-Vietnamese player starred for the Golden Dragons in their 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup triumph, keeping five clean sheets in eight matches.
The 25-year-old is currently with the national team for the Asian Cup.
Pipob hangs up boots
Chonburi striker Pipob On-Mo has announced his retirement from the sport and will walk away with numerous records to his name.
Pipob, 39, began his career at BEC Tero Sasana and developed into a fine striker, winning two league titles with the Fire Dragons. He was the first player to score 100 goals in Thai league history. bangkok post/www.foxsportsasia.com