KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) have signed Spanish trio — Jonathan Viera, Roque Mesa and Álvaro González — for their Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE) campaign.
Spanish media reported that the three La Liga veterans departed on Saturday for Malaysia.
"They will reunite with familiar faces in the dressing room, including Jese (Rodríguez)," reported Spanish portal Relevo, referring to the former Real Madrid forward who signed for the Southern Tigers last year.
Relevo mentioned that Viera, Mesa and Gonzalez can only compete in the ACLE, and not in the M-League.
Viera has had a short stint with Almería, while Mesa and Gonzalez are free agents following spells with Sporting Gijon and Al-Qadsiah respectively.
The trio will be in familiar company, as JDT already boast several Spanish players, including defenders Jordi Amat and Christian Abad, goalkeeper Andoni Zubiaurre and midfielder Juan Muniz.
After six matches, JDT are on track to reach the ACLE round of 16 Eight of the 12 East Region teams will advance. JDT are currently sixth with eight points, trailing Yokohama F. Marinos (13), Gwangju (13), Vissel Kobe (13), Kawasaki Frontale (12) and Pohang Steelers (nine).
JDT have two group matches remaining: against Central Coast Mariners in Australia on Feb 11 and Pohang Steelers at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Feb 18.