JOHOR BAHRU — Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) stalwarts Safiq Rahim and Farizal Marlias have officially bid farewell to the club, marking the end of an era for the Southern Tigers.
The club confirmed their departure through a tribute post on its official Facebook page, paying homage to the duo’s years of dedication, leadership, and the pivotal roles they played in establishing JDT as a dominant force in Malaysian and regional football.
Safiq, 37, joined JDT in 2013 and quickly became a central figure in the team’s rise.
He captained the side to their historic 2015 AFC Cup triumph — the first time an East Asian club lifted the prestigious continental title.
Over 270 appearances, the attacking midfielder scored 59 goals and contributed 68 assists, helping JDT secure a glittering haul of trophies: nine Malaysia Super League titles, seven Charity Shields, four Malaysia Cups, four FA Cups, and the landmark AFC Cup.
Farizal, 38, signed with JDT in 2015 and established himself as one of Malaysia’s finest goalkeepers.
He kept 102 clean sheets in 222 appearances and was a constant presence between the posts during the club’s golden run.
His time at JDT yielded 10 league titles, nine Charity Shields, five Malaysia Cups, four FA Cups, and the 2015 AFC Cup.
Both players, born in Johor, are widely regarded as club legends — not only for their on-pitch accomplishments but also for their leadership and influence within the dressing room.
Their exits come as part of a broader squad overhaul. Yesterday, JDT announced the release of 11 players ahead of the 2025–26 Malaysia League season.
Among those departing are goalkeepers Farizal Marlias and Izham Tarmizi, as well as midfield veteran Safiq Rahim.
The club is also parting ways with seven foreign players: Jordi Amat, Jese Rodriguez, Murilo Henrique, Jonathan Viera, Alvaro Gonzalez, Roque Mesa, and Anselmo de Moraes.
The eleventh departure is forward Ramadhan Saifullah, who has completed a permanent move to Kuching City FC, officially concluding his stint with the Southern Tigers. — June 18, 2025