PETALING JAYA: Argentina-born Jalil Elias (pic) was announced as the first new recruit for Johor Darul Ta’zim for the 2024-2025 Malaysian League season.
The 27-year-old, who played for San Lorenzo in Argentina previously, will complement Natxo Insa in the defensive midfield area.
Elias began his football career at Newell’s Old Boys in Santa Fe, the same academy that produced 2022 World Cup winner Lionel Messi.
The announcement of Elias’ signing was made through a video on the club’s official social media page with him making a grand appearance from a luxury limousine for the contract signing at the premises.
Elias made his name at San Lorenzo, making 117 appearances since 2021 and scoring five goals and has a £3mil pounds (RM17.5mil) price tag.
His presence at Iskandar Puteri will definitely add to JDT’s sting even though the club have hinted that they will be cutting costs due to the restructuring of their finances to ensure it is more resilient for the future.
The 10-time Super League champions have brought back Hector Bidoglio as the manager apart from letting go several players.
Elias also has Syrian citizenship and is currently in Qatar to prepare for the Asian Cup Finals.
