JDT star Safawi Rasid set to join Portimonense in Portugal

Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) confirmed that Safawi Rasid is in talks to join Portuguese outfit Portimonense.

"JDT would like to confirm that we have received an offer from Portugal for Safawi.

"The club believe the offer is good for both JDT and Safawi, and thus we are willing to let Safawi further his career in Europe.

"We are unable to reveal details of the offer as final negotiations are still ongoing," said JDT sporting director Martin Prest.

If the transfer goes through, Safawi will become the third Malaysian to play in Portugal, after Nazmi Faiz Mansor (SC Beira Mar) and Ahmad Fakri Saarani (Atletico SC).

According to Portuguese sports newspaper O Jogo, the deal was helped by the Portuguese side's majority shareholder Theodoro Fonseca's close ties with JDT owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.

Um reforço que promete: Golden Boy da Ásia chega para o ataque do Portimonense https://t.co/zZzj1dGqsn

— O Jogo (@ojogo) August 25, 2020

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Portimonense finished 17th in the 18-team first division last season but avoided relegation, with 16th-placed Vitoria de Setubal going down instead due to club licensing issues.

Safawi joined the Southern Tigers from T-Team in 2017 and went on to help the club win the Malaysian Super League three times and the Malaysia Cup twice.

He was also named the league's Most Valuable Player in 2018 and 2019.