Dion makes a statement on and off pitch with his own jersey design

The Star

4 days ago

Celebration of legacy: Dion Cools in action in his adidas kit which has patterns inspired by his birthplace Sarawak.
PETALING JAYA: Whether donning the national colours of Malaysia, the pink of Cerezo Osaka kit, or now his very own adidas kit – Dion Cools' mission remains unchanged and that is to represent with pride and inspire through performance.
Yesterday, the rightback became the first Malaysian and South-East Asian footballer to launch his own limited-edition jersey in collaboration with global sportswear giant adidas.
The unveiling at the adidas outlet in Sunway Pyramid was not just a fashion moment but it was a celebration of legacy.
'Football has given me an incredible platform to represent where I come from and what I stand for,' said Cools, who was born in Kuching before moving to Belgium, where his football journey took flight.
'This jersey is special to me because it includes patterns inspired by my birthplace, Sarawak. It's a proud moment.'
The No. 21, emblazoned on the back, adds a personal touch, Cools' preferred number since his early professional days in Europe.
Cools currently plays in Japan's top-tier J1 League with Cerezo Osaka and continues to be a key figure for Harimau Malaya on the international stage.
Eligible to represent both countries, he chose the Malaysian badge and has been a regular fixture in the Malaysian national setup since 2021.
Meanwhile, Cools has left it up to the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and team management to decide on Harimau Malaya's involvement in any friendly matches this September.
He said the national squad still had room to prepare for the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers scheduled for in October.
This follows Harimau Malaya's withdrawal from the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Nations Cup in Tajikistan from Aug 29-Sept 8.
'I think it's bad news (withdrawing from the 2025 CAFA Cup), but at the same time the management have done its best. We have work to do for the Asian Cup qualifiers, and I think that's the most important thing for us.
Previously, FAM had announced that Harimau Malaya's withdrawal was due to a change in match dates, with fixtures now starting outside the official international window set by FIFA, making it challenging for the national team, as clubs are not obliged to release their players.