Reliable hands: Eager Sikh Izhan Nazrel Sikh Azman making a save during a training session in Penang. — Penang FC
PETALING JAYA: Young goalkeeper Sikh Izhan Nazrel Sikh Azman had always wished to play for his home state ever since he made his professional debut four years ago.
And his wish came true after joining Penang albeit on loan for this new Super League season.
“I have dreamt of this opportunity for a long time. It is nice to return home and don the colours that you always saw as a kid. Though it is just a loan, it is my home town, so I’m excited,” said the 21-year-old Izhan.
The player who hails from Seberang Jaya, Perai, moved to Selangor in 2020 after graduating from Academy Mokhtar Dahari (AMD) and played for their feeder club Selangor II from 2020 to 2022.
In 2023, he was loaned to Negri Sembilan and he did well to produce some superb performances for the club and is now considered as one of the most highly-rated young goalkeepers in the country.
“The club have shown a lot of interest in young blood and I look forward to being part of their project. I hope to do something special and make Penang proud.”
Izhan has not only played regularly for Negri last season, but he is also one of the key players in the national Under-23 squad.
He is third in the pecking order behind undisputed number one Ahmad Syihan Hazmi and Azri Ghani.
In fact, he is one of the 33 players who had been selected by coach Kim Pan-gon for Harimau Malaya’s centralised training camp starting today to prepare for their Group D matches of the World Cup 2026-Asian Cup 2027 round two qualifiers against Oman in Muscat on March 21 and Bukit Jalil on March 26.
“I’m optimistic to be in the same team with Syihan and Azri as I will get to learn from them.”
