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Published on August 1, 2007

The fate of Teerasil Daengda, Kiatprawut Saiwaeo and Suree Sukha earlier appeared to be in limbo after there had been no recent contact from the Sky Blues on the proposed move.

Controversy had dogged the move when the owners of Chon Buri football club, where Kiatprawut and Suree are under contract, said they had not been contacted about the issue.

Even FAT president Worawi Makudi, who was involved in the matter from the beginning, earlier said he had nothing fresh to offer.

However, the letter from the Premiership club, owned by former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawathra, eventually arrived, sparking hopes of the trio playing in one of the world's top leagues.

"We got the formal letter from Manchester City. The job now is to prepare documents for the boys so that they can apply for visas. We're also planning to send national team coach Chanvit [Pholchivin] along with them during the trip," said Worawi.

The letter stated that Manchester City would take care of all the costs of the arranged trial, which is perceived as one of the gains that Thai football received following Thaksin's takeover of the club. Central defender Kiatprawut, however, prefers a move to Japan, where Chon Buri's ex-trainer, Withaya Laohakul, coaches Division 2 side Tori Tori.

"It's a good opportunity to train in England. However, we have to accept the fact that it would be very difficult to get on the field. Withaya has continuously contacted me to join him in Japan. I'm more interested to go East rather than West, as it's better to play rather than sit on the bench," said the 21-year-old.

"In Japan, besides the opportunities to play, the salary is also good. I would earn as much as Bt200,000 per month. Suree and another team-mate Adul [Lhaso] might join me in Japan."