Eager beavers: R. Kogileswaran (left) and Al-Hafiz can’t wait to get into the fray for Penang.
PETALING JAYA: Penang have signed up winger Al-Hafiz Harun and playmaker R. Kogileswaran to boost their attack.
The 29-year-old Al-Hafiz joins the club on-loan from Kedah, while 24-year-old Kogileswaran joins the team from South Korean club Cheongbuk Cheongju.
Since the departure of Brazilian Giovane Gomes on a mutual agreement, the club have been looking for additions upfront, ones that can supply ammunition for other attackers like Brazilian forward Adriano Narcizo and Lebanese striker Soony Saad.
Al-Hafiz is returning to Penang after two years and is a fan favourite thanks to his tantalising displays on the flanks.
His first stint with the club was from 2019 to 2021, where he helped them win the Premier League in 2020.
As for Kogileswaran, the club have been eyeing him for quite a while now, with many sources revealing that the club approached him three times in the last three years.
At the fourth time of asking, the former Pahang and Petaling Jaya City player has finally decided to move to the Island by signing a six-month deal.
Kogileswaran is eager to show he has what it takes to be a top player in the Super League.
Most importantly, he hopes the stint in Penang would lead him to feature for Harimau Malaya again, led by the charismatic South Korean coach Kim Pan-gon.
“It is good to be back in the Super League. I am here to get minutes and hopefully return to the national team in the future, with the Asian Cup coming up next year,” he said.
“I have taken a pay cut because I am focused on getting my game back on track. I also want to help Penang do better in the Super League.
“Since returning from South Korea, I can see that the Super League has improved and I cannot wait to be back in it.”
Penang are currently 10th in the league with 19 points from 17 matches. Al-Hafiz and Kogileswaran are expected to make their debut against Sabah in the Super League at the City Stadium in Georgetown on July 30.
With the inclusion of these two nippy attackers, Manzoor Azwira would hope his side get wins and score more goals in the next nine matches in the league.
