DOI WANTS TO BE SPL LEGEND ON RETURN

After tough’ stints, 2021 Player of the Year looks to make a bigger impact with Geylang

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A familiar face is back in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) this season and he has wasted little time in making his presence felt again.

Tomoyuki Doi, the 2021 Player of the Year who joined Geylang International in January, contributed a goal and an assist on his Eagles debut as they drew 2-2 with Balestier Khalsa in their May 10 season opener.

Since leaving Hougang United three years ago, the Japanese striker's stints in the J3 League and Albania's top flight have not panned out the way he wanted.

Seeking to revive his career, the 26-year-old returned to the SPL with Geylang, who were the first to make him an offer.

Ahead of their Eastern Derby against BG Tampines Rovers at the Jalan Besar Stadium on May 17, Doi told The Straits Times: "These two years have been quite tough.

"I wanted to become a top player, so I chose to go back to Japan and then Europe... (They were) very different experiences for me, but I learnt a lot from them.