Raring to see action: Former national striker Indra Putra Mahayuddin (left) wants to strut his stuff for new team Kelantan United.
PETALING JAYA: Former national striker Indra Putra Mahayuddin will turn 42 at the end of this year but he does not see his advancing age as a problem in helping Kelantan United do well in their Super League campaign.
The seasoned campaigner is the latest signing of Kelantan United, who earned promotion to the top flight this season.
Kelantan United have also roped in former Penang coach Thomas Trucha from the Czech Republic to get cracking early to build a side that can make a big impression in the new season, which kicks off on Feb 24.
Indra feels he can fit in with Kelantan United as the side have their own quality under Trucha, who has also brought in a number of new players including young talents.
“Thank you to Kelantan United for still accepting me to play and I have a responsibility to take the team a long way,” said the versatile Indra, who is the all-time highest goal scorer in the Super League.
“I don’t want Kelantan United to simply complete the numbers in the Super League or be seen as a minnow.
“We want to give some fierce competition especially in the Super League and try to go further in all competitions.
“My biggest challenge is to regain my fitness to play in competitive matches because last season I rarely played in Perak due to the situation with the team there.
“So I will try my best to get into the main line-up.’’
Indra, who can play as a winger or midfielder, has found the back of the net 102 times in his career in the Super League with six different teams.
This will be his 22nd season after starting his professional career in Perak in 2002 and having played with many top sides such as Pahang, Selangor, Kelantan, T-Team FC, Felda United and Kuala Lumpur.
Besides Indra, Kelantan United have also signed several other experienced players such as Abdul Latiff Suhaimi, Syazwan Zainon, Fandi Othman and Khairul Azrin Khazali.
Meanwhile, another new player who is set to catch the attention of Kelantan United fans is Morgaro Gomis, who played in Kelantan from 2016 to 2018.
His displays in several friendly matches so far have helped Kelantan United’s midfield a lot even though the Senegalese is already 38.
“Age is just a number and my physical strength is still at its best, which is the main factor in Kelantan United calling me to come here,” he said.
“I did have thoughts of returning here one day but now it won’t take longer than I thought.
“So, returning to Kelantan, even with a different team, is enough to make me happy and I hope I can repeat the same performance as I did with Kelantan a few seasons ago.’’
After leaving Kelantan in 2018, Gomis played in the Oman League with Sur FC before going to Scotland to play for several clubs such as Dundee United, Falkirk and Clyde.
