Flair on the flanks: Alvin Fortes (centre) dribbling past a player during a training session. — Selangor FC
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia may be new Selangor winger Alvin Fortes’ 10th destination as a professional footballer but it’s turning out to be the country he’s adapting quickest to.
The 29-year-old Cape Verdean international could make a good case of being among the top journeyman in football, having plied his trade in nine other countries before – Finland, Turkey, Greece, the Czech Republic, Uzbekistan, Holland, Georgia, Thailand and Kazakhstan.
But it appears to him, after just two months here, that there could be no better place for him than Malaysia.
Fortes said that his two months here already ‘’feels like two years’’ thanks to his pleasant surroundings in Shah Alam.
“It may sound like it’s too good to be true, but I already feel at home here after just two months. It’s like I’ve been here for two years already. This is one of the closest group of players I’ve seen and the good vibes will go a long way in helping the players do well on the field,’’ said the affable Fortes, who featured for Ratchaburi and Nongbua Pitchaya during his stint in Thailand.
“I also have a very good impression of the new coach (Nidzam Jamil) and I can see the players respond well to him.’’
Fortes was snapped up by former coach Tan Cheng Hoe, who left to join Police Tero in Thailand.
He is expected to play on the right flank, while another winger Faisal Halim will operate on the left. Chilean striker Ronnie Fernandez should start up front.
The left-footed Fortes is aware that as a winger in today’s modern game, he is expected to score goals as well.
“Besides providing assists, I’ve also set a personal target of scoring at least 10 goals,’’ said the product of the famed Feyenoord Youth Academy in Holland.
Besides Fortes, Selangor’s other new signings are Uzbekistani centreback Umar Eshmurodov, Fernandez, midfielder Nooa Laine, who is on loan from Finnish club SJK Seinajoki, and goalkeeper Azim Al-Amin.
