Teen wonder makes history

National U-18 striker wants to make his mark in Belgium

National Under-18 striker Luqman Hakim Shamsudin, who will sign a five-year deal with Belgian first division club K.V. Kortrijk, posing with Cardiff City and Kortrijk owner Tan Sri Vincent Tan and Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman. Luqman will be the first Malaysian footballer to play in Belgium.

KUALA LUMPUR: National Under-18 striker Luqman Hakim Shamsudin (pic) is game for the biggest challenge after he became the first Malaysian footballer to be picked for a Belgian first division side, K.V. Kortrijk.

Unlike several others who have fizzled out in their pursuit of a professional career in Europe in lower divisions in Portugal, France and Germany, Luqman wants to make a difference.

“There’s nothing to fear about playing in Europe or Belgium ... I just need to adapt to the life there,” said the 17-year-old, a product of the National Football Development Programme (NFDP) since 2014.

“It’s all about being independent when you are in a foreign country.

“I’ll take English classes and also pick up the language spoken in Belgium before leaving for Europe.

“I know the players in Europe are bigger in size, but I’ll work out in the gym to bulk up ... there’re still four months to go so I don’t see any issues at all. I’m just so excited over this opportunity.”

Luqman will sign a five-year deal with K.V. Kortrijk when he turns 18 next March.

He was chosen by the Belgian club’s owner and Malaysian business mogul Tan Sri Vincent Tan for his prowess in scoring goals and ability to hold his own against players from higher-ranked teams.

Luqman is seen as one of the country’s hottest youth prospects especially after his exploits in the 2018 AFC Under-16 Championships, where he finished as the top scorer with five goals despite playing only two matches.

The teen hotshot was previously linked with several other clubs, including Japanese side Cerezo Osaka, but the youngster, who also helped Malaysia reach the AFF Under-18 Championship final last month, decided that his destiny was with K.V. Kortrijk.

The club, bought by Vincent in 2015, is coached by former Belgium international Yves Vanderhaegheare and are currently placed 11th in the Belgium pro-league 16-team standings after seven matches.

The club’s biggest success was finishing runners-up in the Belgian Cup in 2012.

They also emerged as Belgian second division champions in the 2007-2008 season.

Meanwhile, Vincent said Luqman would remain in Malaysia before training with Cardiff City, another club owned by him in Wales, for three months next year before moving to Kortrijk.

“I believe Luqman can make it. His heart is in the right place. He needs to be working hard. Everything is on him now,” said Vincent.

Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman thanked Vincent for supporting Malaysian talents and applauded Luqman for setting a benchmark for the other youngsters.

“I need to congratulate Luqman for his achievement. This will serve as an inspiration for other young footballers in the country to aspire to be like him,” said Syed Saddiq.

“I also thank Tan Sri Vincent for his support and making this deal happen,” he said.

There’s nothing to fear about playing in Europe or Belgium ... I just need to adapt to the life there.

Luqman Hakim Shamsudin