New York (Chinatown Newswire) — In what is fast becoming the first shock transfer deal of the post-season, Chinatown Soccer Club stalwart Duncan Hamilton has agreed a lucrative, multi-season deal with Blatte United.

“I’m really happy to be here,” Hamilton said at a hastily arranged press conference at Blatte’s headquarters in Tribeca earlier today.

“I recognize that this is an amazing opportunity for me at this stage in my career, to play for one of the top clubs in North America and I want to thank [Blatte president] Mr. Gardezi for bringing me here,” Hamilton said.

“It was a difficult and important decision,” he added. “But on top of everything, at this moment, I had to think only of myself and for that reason I made this decision.”

Hamilton was one of the stars of the Urbansoccer spring season, in which he helped the Chinatown Soccer Club reach the semi-finals.

Hamilton’s former teammates at the CSC were understandably disappointed.

“It is going to take me some time to get used to seeing Dunc wearing the yellow shirt of Blatte,” said star striker Mike Messenie from a rehabilitation clinic in Arizona where he is currently being treated for substance abuse and anger-management issues.

CSC player-manager Gerhard Stochl refused to speak to the press after this morning’s training session commenting only that “his [Hamilton’s] transfer is a real kick in the teeth for us.”

A statement by the club acknowledged that Hamilton had refused to sign a new contract with the CSC earlier this season.

Sources close to the negotiations, however, pointed out that until last week the player had privately expressed his determination to play a leading role in the CSC’s quest for silverware during the upcoming Chinatown Cup.

At the same time, Hamilton’s future has been the source of intense media speculation in recent weeks, with a number of top clubs interested in capturing the player.

Blatte, who initially denied wanting to sign Hamilton, apparently swooped late to add the CSC central defender to their already impressive line-up.

The deal appears to have been struck during Hamilton’s trip to the Caribbean island of Aruba last week where Gardezi’s yacht was seen anchoring just a few miles offshore.

Hamilton has also been seen socializing with several of the Blatte players at popular Westside hangouts such as Felix on West Broadway and the Soho House.

Some experts account the CSC’s move to their new Stanton Street home last year and the subsequent financial constraints as part of the reason why the club wasn’t able to hold on to Hamilton in the long run.

“I still remember him [Hamilton] arriving at the old Forsyth Road ground,” a CSC supporter who only gave his name as Kang said during an interview near the old pitch this afternoon.

“He [Hamilton] was fresh off the boat and the CSC gave him a real home,” Kang added. “I’ll always remember him kissing the badge in front of the Chrystie Street stands.”