Half-Malaysian defender Jordan Yong was released by King’s Lynn Town on Thursday after agreeing to join Melaka United for the 2018 season.

Despite not linking up with the Hang Tuah squad until December, the English-born full-back left the Linnets to avoid disrupting the club’s preparation for the new season.

“Basically the gaffer [Ian Culverhouse] is looking for commitment for the new season and I’m not really in a position to do that now [as] I leave for Malaysia in December to take up my professional contract, which obviously is right in the middle of next season," Yong told the club’s official website.

“It’s simply an offer I couldn’t refuse. I will miss everyone but I hope you can understand that such an offer does not come around that often.

“I have really enjoyed my time at the club and would like to thank the fans and the management teams in my time at The Walks for all of their support shown towards me."

Yong joined King’s Lynn Town in 2011 and went on to play almost 300 games over six seasons for the club.

In a separate interview with Eastern Daily Press, Yong revealed about agreeing a one-year contract with the Malaysian Super League team.

“I had a trial with Melaka,” Yong told the English newspaper.

"I was originally going to have trials with three clubs but did well enough and they wanted me to stay on."