Morales out to roar loud and soar high down south

PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim continue to sharpen their fangs with the arrival of Colombian player Romel Morales.

The Southern Tigers announced the inclusion of the naturalised player into the squad for the 20242025 Super League season, where he will be under the leadership of head coach Hector Bidoglio.

The 26-year-old forward makes his way south after spending two years with Kuala Lumpur City, where he made 58 appearances and scored 39 goals.

He was also a member of the City Boys that won the 2021 Malaysia Cup, after beating JDT 2-0 in the final.

Morales arrived in Malaysia six years ago in 2018, where he played for PKNS. He was fielded 32 times and found the net 18 times, followed by a short stint in Melaka United, playing 11 games and scoring eight goals.

In the national team, Morales scored his first goal for the Harimau Malaya in the form of a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser during the 3-3 draw against South Korea in the last group stage match at the Asian Cup in Qatar.

Morales shared his excitement heading to the 10-time Super League champions squad.

“I’m very excited for this new challenge in my career. It is an honour to be here representing this great club,” he said.

“I’ve the same desire, that is to contribute and give my best for the team. “Thanks to everyone who made this possible but especially thanks to the Regent of Johor for this opportunity,” he said.

The Southern Tigers unveiled their new player in a video on social media, where it showed Morales would wear the number 19, previously used by Akhyar Rashid, who is on loan to Terengganu.

Morales will join the squad for the new season, along with new international signings Jalil Elias from Argentina, Portuguese midand fielder Francisco Geraldes, Swedish-born Nicolao Dumitru.