From English Premier League to Hong Kong: new Southern star’s ‘surviving on other side of world’

After swapping the English Premier League for its Hong Kong equivalent, Balraj Landa is up for the challenge of “surviving by myself on the other side of the world”.

Released by AFC Bournemouth in February, Landa has joined Southern for the new campaign, via stints with non-league sides Salisbury City and Dorchester Town.

Alerted to the possibility of a move by Zesh Rehman, the ex-Fulham defender and former player-manager of Southern, Landa said the “decision to come was a no-brainer”.

“My first thought was, ‘What an opportunity to get’,” added the 21-year-old.

“It ticks all the boxes for me: it’s a good platform to show myself in Asia, and to really get my name out there. On the non-football side, it’s a chance to live on the other side of the world, to adapt and to survive by myself.”

A two-footed “very technical and creative” attacking midfielder, Landa was picked up by local club Southampton at just eight years old.

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