Turtle Redzovic set to join fast growing naturalisation list

Argzim Redzovic. - Photo by Terengganu FC

PETALING JAYA: More naturalised players are in line to play for Malaysia, with at least three waiting for their application for citizenship to be processed.

Terengganu centreback Argzim Redzovic (pic) said he had a chat with Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) secretary-general Noor Azman Rahman on his status.

“I met up with the secretary-general, and he told me that the application is in the process. I hope I can get naturalised by the second transfer window, but it all depends on the Home Ministry,” said Redzovic.

The 31-year-old, who was born in Bar, Montenegro, has been playing in Malaysia since 2018 when first featured for Police before joining Terengganu in 2019.

He is also married to a Malaysian.

Redzovic said Casagrande (Negri Sembilan striker) and Romel Morales (Kuala Lumpur midfielder) had also applied.

“I know Casagrande and Romelare going through the process as well. We will wait and see.

“I hope we can sort it by the second transfer window.”

The second transfer window starts on July 5 and finishes on Aug 1.

Recently, Johor Darul Ta’zim’s (JDT) midfielder Endrick Dos Santos and Kuala Lumpur’s midfielder Paulo Josue received their citizenship and made their national debut when Malaysia played Turkmenistan in an international friendly.

The other naturalised players playing in the Super League are JDT winger Mohamadou Sumareh, Terengganu midfielder Liridon Krasniqi, Kedah midfielder Lee Tuck and Pahang playmaker Sergio Aguero.

Another naturalised player, striker Guilherme De Paula, is playing for Melaka in the M3 League, which is a division below the Super League.

In the Super League, Redzovic started three games and is beginning to impress coach Tomislav Steinbruckner.

A hamstring injury to Uzbekistani centreback Sardor Kulmatov saw Redzovic being thrusted to action, and he hopes to keep on playing, which he also believes would enhance his call for naturalisation.

“With more games, Insyallah (God willing), I hope it will make the process easier. Yeah, I am getting better because I have played games. There are two other import defenders, so the competition is keen.

Terengganu will next take on Pahang in the Super League at the Sultan Mizan Stadium on April 28. They are currently sixth in the league with 13 points.