KUALA LUMPUR: Excitement is brewing among Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) fans as former Premier League goalkeeper Neil Etheridge emerges as a potential marquee signing ahead of the upcoming M-League season.
In a tantalizing teaser on Sunday via their official Facebook page, the club unveiled the new goalkeeper kit, donned by Ahmad Syihan Hazmi and Farizal Marlias, alongside a mysterious figure sporting a ski mask.
Speculation reached fever pitch as JDT fans speculated that Birmingham City's Etheridge might be the masked individual.
"Neil Etheridge, the keeper at Birmingham City," suggested JDT fan Idham Baharuddin, noting similarities in height and body posture.
"Welcome to JDT, Neil Etheridge," said another fan, Mohamad Al-Hafiz.
Further stoking the flames, The Regent of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, owner of JDT, along with several players, are following Etheridge on Instagram.
Etheridge, an experienced goalkeeper, played for England at the under-16 level.
At the senior level, he has been representing the Philippines since 2008.
His Premier League stint with Cardiff City in 2018 marked a historic moment as he became the first Filipino to grace the prestigious league.