Safee to sign one-year contract with Indonesian club Pelita Jaya
By ERIC SAMUEL
PETALING JAYA: National striker Mohd Safee Sali confirmed yesterday that he will be signing a one-year contract with Indonesia Super League outfit Pelita Jaya FC (PJFC).
The 27-year-old Selangor ace said he would ink the deal with the Indonesian club side in Karawang, West Java, on Monday.
“It is a huge decision ... and this is the right time. I am 27 and age is not on my side. It is my dream to play professional football in another country and I don’t think I will get another opportunity if I turned down this offer,” Safee told a press conference at the Yayasan FAS office in Kelana Jaya.
The FA of Selangor (FAS) deputy president Datuk Mokhtar Ahmad had earlier made the official announcement of Safee’s transfer.
“It is in the best interest of the player (Safee) that we (the FAS) have decided to let him go and pursue his goal. Safee wants to go and it is not right for us to hold him back,” Mokhtar said.
It is learnt that Safee would be paid about US$10,000 (RM30,360) per month while the FAS would receive about US$30,000 (RM91,080) from PJFC as compensation for buying out Safee’s existing contract, which only ends in December.
The stocky national striker became a hot property after his strong performances in the Suzuki Cup Asean Football Federation (AFF) Championships last December. He top-scored with five goals to help Malaysia emerge as champions.
Besides PJFC, two other Indonesian clubs – Persib Bandung and Balik Papan – had also shown interests in the player.
Safee, who was all smiles as he entered the packed press conference room, said he would don the No. 10 jersey with his new team.
The striker has worn the No. 10 jersey with Selangor and the national team since 2007.
“It is a tribute to the late (national icon) Mokhtar Dahari, who marvelled the nation with his goal-scoring exploits back in the 70s and 80s. I had requested that I be given the No. 10 jersey and PJFC have agreed to let me wear it,” said Safee.
Meanwhile, Selangor coach K. Devan wished Safee good luck.
Devan said he was proud to see one of Selangor’s players plying his trade abroad.
“This will inspire others to follow suit and make a name for themselves. This is the kind of attitude we must instil in our professional footballers.
“The players must be brave to take a step forward and not be complacent and become contented with the good life they are used to at home,” said Devan.
FAS secretary Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin revealed that a few other Selangor players had also received offers from Indonesian clubs but “we were not prepared to let them go”.
“Perhaps when the time is right we may allow them to try their luck in Indonesia. We have to concentrate on our own league too,” said Hamidin.
Safee began his career with Kuala Lumpur before moving to Sarawak. But it was with Selangor that he came alive, winning every silverware except the Malaysia Cup.
Safee will be playing his last game for Selangor when they entertain Kuala Lumpur at the Shah Alam Stadium on Saturday.
He is also expected to start in the national team’s friendly match against Hong Kong at the Shah Alam Stadium tomorrow (8.45pm).
National coach K. Rajagopal will miss key six players for the friendly due to injuries and personal reasons. S. Chanturu, Izzaq Faris Ramlan, Azmi Muslim (hamstring), Norsharul Idlan Talaha (knee) and Amar Rohidan (chicken-pox) are out with injuries while goalkeeper Mohd Sharbinee Allawee had requested to be with his wife to welcome their first child.
korang mesti malas nak baca pasal berita kat atas nie kan??? okay lah the conclusion is SAFEE SALI kena beli dengan team indonesia.... and dia pon ???? lantak kau lah.. malas nak cakap banyak !!!!!!!!!
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