JDT complete new signing from Lanus

PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) have completed the signing of Argentinian striker Jorge Pereyra Diaz from Argentine Primera Division side Lanus to replace their outgoing midfielder Pablo Aimar.

The 23-year-old Diaz is the second signing for the cash-rich JDT in the M-League second transfer window. The team had earlier secured Brazilian defender Marcos Antonio Elias Santos to replace Singaporean centreback Baihakki Khaizan.

JDT manager Bojan Hodak said the management are adapting a change of strategy in their foreign players signing policy.

“There is a change in our transfer policy, we are looking at good players instead of big name players,” said Hodak on Monday.

“We did our scouting and short-listed a few other players before signing the players that we want. They were two other players that we were interested but their clubs didn’t want to sell them.

“We will try to get him to gel with the team ... he’s a quality player and young so I think it won’t take him long to blend into the team.”

It is learnt that Diaz has been signed for a two-year deal and is expected to arrive in Malaysia on Tuesday.

Hodak said that the two new additions to the team will be a major boost for their title challenge this season.

JDT are currently third in the Super League standings with 25 points – three behind leaders Pahang and one behind Selangor, who have a game in hand.

“We believe that Diaz has enough quality to play in the M-League... He is a player who can create and score goals and he will be a valuable addition to the team,” said the former Kelantan coach.

“We have won three matches in a row and are not too far behind Pahang. We are still in the title race and we just need to keep our winning momentum going.”