PETALING JAYA: It could be the third time’s the charm for Syafiq Ahmad.
The striker has joined Kedah for the third time after Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) agreed to loan him to the Canaries for the 2024-2025 season.
The 28-year-old first played for Kedah from 2013 to 2017, becoming a key man for the northern side before being swooped by the Southern Tigers in 2018.
With the 10-time Super League champions, Syafiq found it hard to break into the first eleven, always being used as a super sub by the coaches.
In 2022, he moved to Kedah on loan, but it was a short stint as he only played nine games and scored two goals before he was recalled by JDT midway through the season.
Now back for the third time, Syafiq cannot wait to recapture his old form, give his best for Kedah and hopefully be part of the national team one day.
“I am happy to return to the team that I once made a name with. I will try to help raise the name of Kedah and the important thing is that my performance can be improved,” he said.
“Kedah have quite a large number of supporters, and with the latest plans, and the list of new players this season, my teammates and I are determined to help the team go far.”
Meanwhile, Kedah also announced the return of wingback Rizal Ghazali (pic), who joined the team from Sabah.
Rizal’s first stint with Kedah was from 2014 to 2021 before he left for Borneo, where he played for the Rhinos for two seasons.
The 31-year-old is expected to fit in as first-choice rightback, with Wan Amirul Afiq Wan Abdul Rahman competing with him for a spot.
“I came back to Kedah for many reasons but the main ones are because I miss my family and my parents are not very well. Anyway, I am grateful to Kedah for bringing me back home and I will do my best,” he said.
“I hope the fans out there will fill the stadium like before. God willing, this 2024, I believe there will be light for this side.”
Just like Rizal, centreback Irfan Zakaria has also returned to Kedah, after a season with Sabah.
The 28-year-old first played for Kedah in 2020 before returning to Kuala Lumpur in 2021, where he helped them win the Malaysia Cup in 2021 and qualify for the AFC Cup final in 2022.
Another defender joining Kedah is Zamri Pin Ramli, who signed from Negri Sembilan.
