Wan Zaharulnizam delight at Ryukyu offer
Malaysian starlet Wan Zaharulnizam has revealed his delight at being offered to chance to ply his trade in Japan with third division side FC Ryukyu.
Zaharulnizam, who is currently part of Ong Kim Swee's Malaysia Under-23 side preparing to defend their gold medal at the year-end Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, had a two-week trial with the club last year along with team-mate Wan Zack Haikal.
Although the duo were said to have impressed members of Ryukyu's coaching stuff, there was initially no word on whether they would be given a chance to play in Japan but that was put to bed on Friday when it emerged that both had been offered contracts.
Ryukyu are currently playing in the Japan Football League (JFL), which is the third tier of the country's league system and only behind the highly-regarded J.League Division 1 and 2, and Zaharulnizam is understandably excited at the prospect of furthering his career in one of Asia's strongest footballing nations.
"I am very happy with the news," he told FOXSportsAsia.com. "I have waited for it [the offer] for so long - since Zack and I had our trial there in July 2012.
"I believe this is a very good chance for me to gain more experience and further my career as a football player. The quality of football and the league there is very impressive."
Furthermore, the Kelantan native does not believe he will have any difficulties adapting to life in Japan, apart from the obvious language barrier.
"When we had our trial there, we didn't have any problems with adapting the Japanese style," Zaharulnizam explained.
"We understood the football instructions but the only problem is the language. It's quite difficult to communicate with them.
"Maybe I will have to attend Japanese classes before I leave for Japan."
Zaharulnizam and Wan Zack are set to join the growing number of Malaysian footballers plying their trade overseas, after Nazmi Faiz and Ahmad Fakri Saarani joined Portuguese outfits Beira-Mar and Atletico SC respectively last year.
However, Nazmi's time in Portugal came to an abrupt end earlier this week when it was initially claimed that his club had allowed him to return to Malaysia for six months, although it has now emerged that he is set to join Malaysia Super League outfit PKNS FC.
Nonetheless, Zaharulnizam is determined to make the most of his opportunity and will not be deterred by his former team-mate's failed overseas stint.
"What happened with Nazmi should not affect my decision," he added.
"I have gained my family's blessing and support to play abroad because chances like this don't come everyday.
"I am confident that I will do my best and not take this chance for granted."
Zaharulnizam is currently in Brisbane with the Malaysia U-23 side, who are on a tour of Australia.