Sato leaves Global for Romanian outfit

The Azkals right-back has been unveiled at the city's Pallas Mall. Catalin Ghitescu

By Kevin Estrada

MANILA--In a surprise development, an eastern European club has snapped the services of a Filipino footballer this week.

Romania's CSMS Iași has snapped Global and Azkals right-back Daisuke Sato in time for the Europa League's second round qualifying tie with Croatia's Hajduk Split on Friday, Manila time.

On Monday, Sato thanked his former club in his Instagram post, garnering a UFL Cup winner's medal last April, and scoring five goals in 31 league appearances for Global.

Today I would Iike to thank to the Global FC for all the experience and great time I got from the club.Especially to the Boss Dan Palami who gave me the opportunity to play in the Philippines. We won the league 2014, we played AFC CUP on 2015 and we won the Cup this year for put Global FC on to the next AFC CUP 2016.So let me say that I have done all I could do for the club. And for me,now is the time to leave and go to the next stage.I signed with CSMS IASI from Romania.It will be a big challenge for me.I am really excited to play championship league in Romania and Qualifying for the UEFA EUROPE LEAGUE. And thank you to all those who made the move possible. See you all again in the Azkals. Daisuke Sato

A photo posted by Daisuke Sato11 (@daisukesato11) on Jul 11, 2016 at 5:59am PDT

CSMS Iași finished seventh in Romania's top flight last season but only garnered a European spot after Romanian Cup winners CFR Cluj, league runners-up Dinamo Bucharest and sixth placed Targu Mures were disqualified from European competitions due to financial reasons.

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