Wantaway gets his way
Teen hotshot Akhyar finally free to join JDT
PETALING JAYA: It’s finally confirmed – teenage sensation Muhammad Akhyar Rashid will be joining Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) for the 2019 season.
The Southern Tigers unveiled Akhyar as their latest signing in their official Facebook page yesterday, becoming their third signing for the new season.
For weeks, the wantaway Akhyar was involved in a tussle with his former club Kedah who refused to release him even after he activated a clause to buy out the remainder of his contract which was in the final year.
JDT were accused of approaching the teenage star despite him still being contracted to Kedah, and the case was referred to the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) which ruled that the 19-year-old is allowed to buy out his contract with Kedah by paying RM210,000.
And the team who sign Akhyar will have to pay Kedah RM75,000 in development fees, but the Red Eagles were unhappy with the decision and have threatened to bring the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
JDT’s sporting director Martin Prest confirmed the signing of Akhyar and opted to placate Kedah by paying RM25,000 more on top of the RM75,000 development fee ordered by the FAM.
“We are delighted to have signed Akhyar on a four-year contract.
“JDT have also added a RM12mil transfer release clause on Akhyar’s contract,” said the Argentinian yesterday.
“There is a development fee of RM75,000 to be paid to the player’s former club, and as a sign of respect to Kedah for developing Akhyar’s talent, JDT will pay Kedah RM100,000.”
Akhyar is expected to join the five-time Super League champions’ training officially on Jan 4.