PETALING JAYA: Pahang are banking on the tried and tested for this Super League season and the signing of Lucas Espindola (pic) is proof of their intent.
The Elephants have included the 32-year-old Brazilian and former Hong Kong’s Kitchee striker in their squad after the latter shone for Penang last season with 10 goals in 14 games in all competitions.
And their new signing can’t wait to start his journey with the Elephants.
“I received the offer two months after I returned here in September. Coming to Pahang was the right move as they were planning a formidable squad for the 2023 season,” said Espindola.
“The club have signed good local and foreign players. It’s good as I can also learn and benefit from them. We will have better ammunition for the upcoming season.”
Espindola had attracted interest from several local clubs and also in the South-East Asian region but he was happy to stick around here.
He reported for pre-season training in Kuantan last week and is being put through the paces by Singapore football legend and now coach Fandi Ahmad.
“The atmosphere here is nice. I’m close to everyone and am enjoying this new journey,” he said.
“Fandi is a good coach. He was a very good striker before and we are learning a lot from him. There are also a lot of Pahang legends in the team, like Datuk Dollah Salleh, Jalaluddin Jaafar and Ahmad Shaharuddin Rosdi.
“So you are constantly learning and being inspired. My target is to make Pahang an indomitable force that they used to be.
“I also want to be the best in every game, whether it comes in the form of goals, assists, passes or work rate.”
Pahang’s other foreign signings are centrebacks Michael Glassock (Australia) and Stefano Brundo (Argentina).
It is learnt that Liberian striker Kpah Sherman will also join the club to form a lethal partnership with Espindola.
The local addition are Johor Darul Ta’zim players – former national centreback Fadhli Shas, rightback Azrif Nasrulhaq, leftback Syazwan Andik and goalkeeper Izham Tarmizi Roslan.
They have retained winger Abdul Malek Mat Ariff, midfielder Nor Azam Azih, centrebacks Muslim Ahmad and Nicholas Swirad, goalkeeper Zarif Irfan Shamsuddin, midfielders Baqiuddin Shamsuddin and Sergio Aguero.
