JDT send Krasniqi on loan to Newcastle Jets

PETALING JAYA: Newcastle Jets manager Joel Griffiths believes that 29-year-old Liridon Krasniqi, a naturalised Malaysian, should easily fit into the set-up of his team in the Australian A-League.

Krasniqi, together with Indonesian Under-23 international midfielder Syahrian Abhimanyu, have been sent on loan from Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) for the remainder of the A-League season.

Wanted Down Under: Liridon Krasniqi (left), a naturalised Malaysian, will be making his debut for Newcastle Jets in the A-League this month.

And Griffiths is eager to see the Kosovo-born make his debut when the A-League transfer window opens on Feb 16 to allow him to play.

“His character ticks a lot of boxes.

“He speaks good English, has a presence in the sheds and is eager to learn about our culture. He is committed to expanding his game, ” said Griffiths.

Krasniqi was naturalised last year but has yet to earn a cap for Malaysia with international matches and qualifiers suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

He is Malaysia’s second naturalised player after former Pahang’s Gambia-born winger Mohamadou Sumareh.

Krasniqi played for Kedah for three seasons from 2015 to 2018 before moving to Melaka in 2019.

He earned his reputation as one of the best deep-lying playmakers in the country while playing for Kedah.

During his time with Kedah, he won the Premier League in 2015, Malaysia Cup in 2016 and the Charity Shield and FA Cup in 2017. Krasniqi also won the 2016 Foreign Player of the Year and was voted the most popular player in 2016 and 2017.

Malaysian internationals Brendan Gan and Matthew Davies have played in the A-League before for Sydney FC from 2008 to 2011 and Perth Glory from 2013 to 2015 respectively.

However, they were still holding Australian citizenship at that time.