KUALA LUMPUR: Footballer M. Kogileswaran Raj said advice from national coach Kim Pan Gon played a key role in his decision to move to K-League 2 side Chungbuk Cheongju.
Kogileswaran -- better known as Kogi -- is the first Malaysian to play for a football club in South Korea and was officially unveiled by Chungbuk yesterday.
The former Petaling Jaya City (PJ City) midfielder said it had been his dream to follow in the footsteps of his cousin Titus James Palani and play abroad.
Titus, then 12, moved to France to join Le Harve academy and went on to play for several lower division club sides there.
Kogileswaran said the move to South Korea means a lot to him.
"This is one of the happiest moments in my life. Since young, I have always dreamt of playing abroad like Titus and it finally came true."
"Before signing with Chungbuk, I spoke to coach Kim about this move. He gave me very good advice and he was happy as well. He even video called me on the day I flew to Korea.
"I would thank coach Kim for his advice, it really means a lot to me. I would also like to thank national team assistant manager Datuk Kamarul Ariffin Mohd Shahar and Football Association of Malaysia president Datuk Hamidin Amin, who have both been very supportive."
Kogileswaran was a mainstay with the national Under-17 side in 2014 and has featured for the national senior squad since 2018.
At club level, he joined Pahang in 2016 and won the FA Cup with them in 2018. He was later on the books at PJ City from 2020-2022.
He has already joined the club's pre-season training camp in Bangkok under coach Choi Yun Kyum.
The 24-year-old, who is from Kuala Lumpur, said he was warmly welcomed by the team's players and officials.
"Korean football has very high-level gameplay. I took this offer to improve my game and become a better footballer."
"I have yet to learn the Korean language, but I hope to do so as soon as possible. I also need to get used to this new environment. It will be tough but I'm confident of adapting quickly.
"The players looked classy when I saw them in training. I have yet to join the team training as I'm in the recovery phase under the fitness trainer due to the flights (from Malaysia to Korea to Bangkok)."