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Belgian offer for Luqman

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Luqman Hakim Shamsudin. Photo: Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: National Under-18 (U-18) squad striker, Luqman Hakim Shamsudin has created history by becoming the first Malaysian to be offered a contract with Belgian Pro League, KV Kortrijk for five years from next season.

The deal was announced at a special media conference which was attended by Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abu Bakar and owner of the club, Tan Sri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun, a local business tycoon here yesterday.

Also present at the function were National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail, National Sports Institute (NSI) chief executive officer Ahmad Faedzal Md Ramli and Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) secretary-general Stuart Ramalingam.

Speaking at the media conference, the 17-year-old player is determined to gain a place in the first eleven of the club and hoped not to return home early as experienced by several other Malaysian players before this.

The Kota Bharu boy who was a key figure in Malaysia’s success as runners-up in the Asean Football Federation U-18 Championship in Thailand last month admitted he needed to adapt quickly to the European football environment which is vastly different from other continents.                

Luqman Hakim Shamsudin. Photo: Bernama

In this regard, Syed Saddiq hoped Luqman Hakim’s success in getting a contract offer would be an inspiration to other young players in the country to follow his footsteps.

Meanwhile, Vincent Tan said the Belgian club is delighted to offer the contract to Luqman Hakim who showcased splendid performances in several tournaments, besides having the lethal touch at goal.

Vincent Tan who is also the owner of English Championship side, Cardiff City FC, is confident Luqman Hakim would be able to adapt quickly to the new environment in Belgium including food, culture and language.        

The 67-year-old businessman added that Luqman Hakim would undergo a short training stint with Cardiff City FC in early 2020, before signing a five-year contract upon turning 18 years old in March 2020 with the Belgian side.        

Luqman Hakim is the fourth player from Asean countries to turn out in the Belgian League.

Several Malaysian players who have been offered to play for clubs overseas, returned home after facing various problems and among them were Wan Zack Haikal Wan Noor and Nazirul Naim Che Hashim who turned out for Japanese League Second Division side, FC Ryukyu, apart from Muhammad Nazmi Faiz Mansor who represented Portuguese League club, SC Beira Mar. – Bernama

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