Persebaya ties Roni Pereira

March 30, 2001

Persebaya Surabaya has officially signed Brazilian striker Roni Pereira on Friday (3/30) afternoon at Wisma Eri Irianto (Eri Irianto Hall) in Surabaya.

"Everything is done. Roni now officially belongs to Persebaya," said H. Karwoto, Persebaya's assistant team manager.

Roni, however, is only signed for half-a-season.

How much is the contract money and his salary?

Just like usual, the parties involved refused to give straight answers. For Indonesia, such a thing is unethical to be revealed, according to H. Karwoto.

The same happens when Lidio Nascimento, Roni's agent, was asked that very same question.

"No, no, no, … Roni and I will not tell about it to the media. That's the agreement," said Lidio.

However, according to a source inside of Persebaya, Roni's contract money is higher than that of other Brazilian players. It's about Rp 100 millions for half-a-season. His salary is about US$ 2500 or about Rp 25 millions a month. That salary is still lower than that of Jacksen F. Tiago, about US$ 3000 a month. Jacksen left the club to Singapore early this month after a terrible run of forms this season.

Roni is only signed for half-a-season because he's only needed until the end of this current season. Besides, Persebaya had spent much of its funds on something else than signing new players, and the money left available is only enough to contract Roni until the season is over.

"When the season ends, we will open a new negotiation with Persebaya," said Lidio.

But what if Roni performs well and other clubs poach on him? Lidio assures that Persebaya will always be the number one priority.

"That's my promise. If Persebaya is no longer interested, then that's when I look at other clubs," said that opulent man.

Roni himself felt jubilant about his signing. By being in Persebaya, the 21-year-old striker is fulfilling one of his dreams of becoming an international player.

"Playing abroad is a dream for all teenage football players in Brazil. I'm very proud of this," said Roni.

Persebaya will register Roni to Football Association of Indonesia (FAI) on Monday (4/2). FAI will then send a letter to CBF (Brazilian FA) to take care of his contract and International Transfer Certificate (ITC).

Meanwhile, Roni's inclusion to the team is received warmly, not only by the club, but also more importantly by the fans. In Friday's afternoon practice, quite a large number of fans came to the training stadium and watch the team practice.

"The newspapers talk a lot about the player (Roni) and about his signing, so I've come to watch him practice," said one fan.

Persebaya's attacking winger Rahel Tuasalamony said, "He's a good player. I hope he's not like Marcello. I hope he'll be consistent in playing well."

Fellow Brazilian in Persebaya, Jaldecir Jesus dos Santos (Deca), said that the addition of the striker would make the team more solid than ever. "If I may say it, our job is now easier. We have good quality players, like Uston (Nawawi) and Roni. With the addition of Roni, we'll have more choices up front, besides Andy (Koupow) and Reinold (Pietersz)."

from Jawa Pos Online