MULTI-TITLED Ceres-La Salle FC continues its build up and is expected to be one of the star-studded clubs in the First Division when the United Football League (UFL) season kicks off later this year.
The Bacolod-based UFL Division 2 champion and back-to-back PFF-Smart Club Men's Championship titlist has signed up another standout to its roster making it tougher when the campaign starts.
Reports over the weekend indicated that Ceres signed up former Azkals midfielder Manuel Gelito "Manny" Ott.
The Fil-German became the fourth signee of the club in the off-season after Fil-Belgian left back Jeffrey Christiaens, Fil-Spanish central defender Juani Guirado ,and Spanish Adriano Gallardo.
The 22-year-old Ott started his career in Germany with SV Ilmmünster, FSV Pfaffenhofen, and TSV 1860 München before suiting up for the FC Ingolstadt II in 2009.
It was in 2010 when the Fil-German begun his international exposure and played for the Philippines against Chinese Taipei.
In 2011, he suited up for the Azkals U23 during the Southeast Asian Games held in Indonesia joining other Ceres mainstays Joshua Beloya and Christiaens at that time.
With Ott in the team, Ceres will transform into more of an attacking squad with both its first and second teams capable of performing at the same level. Ceres earlier signed up Fil-Spanish defender Guirado who played for Ceres during the AFC President's Cup in Bacolod last summer.
The 34-year-old Fil-Spanish central defender, who was on-loan at Ceres, displayed great performance, scoring a pair of goals against against Rimyongsu SC of Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Chinese Taipei's Tatung FC, which most likely convinced the club owner to sign him in a two-year deal starting this season.
Christiaens and Spanish striker Gallardo were likewise signed up by the Ceres side late last month.
Late reports also hinted Azkals Nate Burkey as another prospect to sign up with Ceres FC.
Head coach Ali Go said the club's build-up is part of the team's rigid preparation for a tough competition ahead in this UFL season. The new acquisition and the fast-paced changes in the Ceres roster raised many eyebrows from league followers.
Go reiterated that Ceres has its system and acquiring players is based on the team's requirement - right player at the right position.
Ceres FC has yet to formally present the newly acquired players as well as the entire roster seeing action in the upcoming UFL tournament.