Well-moulded footballer: Stuart Wilkin (left) is comfortable playing in any attacking role with the Harimau Malaya.
PETALING JAYA: Stuart Wilkin used to be a winger and a second striker during his development years and his early professional days with Johor Darul Ta’zim II in 2021.
But all that changed when he joined Sabah in 2022.
Then coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee asked him to play as a box-to-box midfielder or among footballers, known as the ‘No. 8’ role.
It took him a while to adapt but when he caught fire, Stuart has etched himself as one of the best midfielders in the league and became an asset for the national team.
The 26-year-old player from Woking, England, who has Malaysian heritage through his mother, is glad that he made the switch.
“I first started playing in the flanks when I was growing up in England. I played for the Southampton academy and then moved to the United States. There I studied and played at the University of Missouri,” said the player, who holds a marketing degree.
“During those years, I played as a winger or even as an attacking midfielder, all attacking roles. When I signed a deal with JDT, I was still deployed in those positions.
“In Sabah though, Kim Swee said I would suit the box-to-box role. It took time to get used to but now I am doing well in that role, playing in that position for Sabah and Malaysia.
“I can now proudly say that I can play various roles, which is good in modern football.”
Since 2022, Stuart has won 27 caps, scoring six goals for the national team and helped his state finish third in the Super League for two seasons in a row (2022 and 2023).
In the current season, the Rhinos are third in the league with 29 points from 15 matches.
Playing for Harimau Malaya will always be special for Stuart.
“There were times when I was growing up, fans and different people would say that I could play for Malaysia one day due to my heritage. At every school holiday, I would return to Malaysia.
“That dream that I had when I was in Southampton has now turned into reality. I’m glad to be part of it now.”
