Darren Lok, who was born in England to a Malaysian father and English mother, was granted his citizenship just five months after arriving in Malaysia, FourFourTwo (FFT) reported.
He signed up with Johor Darul Takzim II (JDT II) in the second tier Malaysian Premier League (MPL) in June and has been training with them since then, though he was unable to play for them.
According to FFT, Football Malaysia Limited Liability Malaysia (FMLLP), which currently operates the privatised Malaysia Super League and MPL, had allowed JDT II to register Lok on the condition that he will only play once he is granted citizenship.
“I am so happy to receive my Malaysian passport. It marks a new chapter in my football career.
“My goals have not changed since the day I arrived here. I want to prove myself with JDT II and make further progress,” Lok told the international football publication.
“Obviously, the season is almost over now and it is a shame that I could not play immediately for the club. But things were beyond my control. Hopefully, I would be able to play as soon as possible and make an impression.”
Lok may get his chance sooner than he thinks, as he was named as a substitute in the JDT II line-up tonight for the MPL clash with Kuala Lumpur at Pasir Gudang Stadium. If he plays, it will be his first competitive match since May.
Aside from JDT II, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) also stands to gain from the citizenship given to Lok.
National team coach Ong Kim Swee has been keen to include the player for the AFF Suzuki Cup in November, and this comes as a major boost to the country’s hopes of doing well in the regional tournament.
Ong needs a prolific striker and Lok could fit the bill and solve Malaysia’s scoring woes in international matches, FFT reported.
Lok’s father, who was born in Malacca, had moved to England at the age of 21 and eventually settled down there and started a family.
That heritage qualified the young Lok to become a Malaysian citizen as well, but the question of having to give up his existing UK citizenship needed some thought.
In an interview with FFT in April last year, when his talent was already known to local scouts from Malaysia, Lok spoke of the predicament.
“I am currently holding a British passport, but I would love to play for Malaysia one day.
“Giving up my English citizenship is something that I would have to give great consideration, but if the chance ever came up to represent Malaysia, I would jump at it.”