Safiq leaves JDT after six seasons

JOHOR BAHRU, 12 Jun -- Kapten skuad kebangsaan Safiq Rahim ketika sidang media pra-perlawanan Malaysia menentang Lebanon dalam Perlawanan Kelayakan Piala Asia (AFC Cup) 2019 di Bilik Orchid, Hotel Thistle, hari ini.Perlawanan bakal berlangsung esok di Stadium Tan Sri Dato Haji Hassan Yunos, Larkin, Johor.--fotoBERNAMA (2017) HAK CIPTA TERPELIHARA

KUALA LUMPUR: Former national skipper Safiq Rahim (pic) is set to leave reigning Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) after six seasons.

JDT owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim described Safiq, who signed from Selangor back in 2013, as one of his best players as he helped the Southern Tigers achieve success in both domestic and international competitions.

“In my sincere opinion, he has been the most successful player at Johor Darul Ta’zim and has helped the Southern Tigers achieve our goals. The most successful player, the best captain in the history of JDT and a great player who has not only contributed to JDT, but also to Selangor and the national team,” said Tunku Ismail, in the latest Facebook entry.

Tunku Ismail said the door would always be open for the Selangor-born player to return in the future.

Safiq won multiple trophies with JDT, including five straight Super League titles since 2014, the 2015 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup, 2016 FA Cup and the 2017 Malaysia Cup.

He also won the 2010 Asean Football Federation title with the national senior squad as well as the gold medal with the Under-23 squad in the 2009 Laos SEA Games.-Bernama