Latest news with #Irazabal
The Sun
24-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
JDT signs Jon Irazabal to strengthen squad for new season
JOHOR Darul Ta'zim (JDT) have secured the services of heritage player Jon Irazabal to reinforce their squad for the upcoming season. The announcement was made via a video posted on the Johor Southern Tigers' official Facebook page. 'Our defence gets another wall, a familiar one nonetheless. Jon Irazabal has inked a deal with the Southern Tigers!' the club stated. The 28-year-old defender, who holds Sabahan heritage through his mother, recently obtained Malaysian citizenship and made his debut for the national team in June. Irazabal will wear jersey number 17 for the 11-time Super League champions. Before joining JDT, Irazabal played for Azerbaijan's Sabah FC, where he made 98 appearances and contributed to the team's Azerbaijan Cup victory in the 2024–25 season. The Southern Tigers have also bolstered their squad with other key signings, including Spanish centre-back Antonio Glauder, Brazilian striker Jairo Da Silva, and defensive midfielder Ibrahim Manusi.
New Straits Times
23-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Hevel becomes latest Harimau Malaya star to join JDT
KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) have unveiled another Harimau Malaya heritage player, Hector Hevel, as their latest signing for the 2025-2026 M-League season — just hours after announcing Spanish-born defender Jon Irazabal. The move came as little surprise after Hevel had previously hinted that he would be joining the Southern Tigers next season. However, JDT made it official on Monday via their official Facebook page, confirming the 29-year-old midfielder's arrival. The announcement came roughly two hours after they revealed Irazabal as their new recruit. Hevel has already made two appearances for Malaysia, netting a goal on his debut in a 2-0 win over Nepal during the 2027 Asian Cup qualifier in March. He also played a key role in Malaysia's stunning 4-0 rout of Vietnam in their Group F qualifier at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on June 10. In addition to Hevel and Irazabal, JDT have already confirmed the signings of Ibrahim Manusi, Jairo Da Silva and Antonio Glauder for the new season. .
New Straits Times
23-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
JDT signs Harimau Malaya centre-back Irazabal for new season
KUALA LUMPUR: Spanish-born centre-back Jon Irazabal has become Johor Darul Ta'zim's (JDT) latest signing ahead of the 2025-2026 M-League season. The 29-year-old joins the Super League champions after three solid seasons with Azerbaijan's Sabah FC, where he made 79 appearances and scored five goals. Irazabal, who made his debut for Harimau Malaya in a 4-0 win over Vietnam in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifier at Bukit Jalil on June 10, will wear the No. 17 jersey at JDT. He is expected to strengthen the Southern Tigers' backline under newly appointed head coach Xisco Munoz. Irazabal becomes the fourth new face unveiled by JDT, following the arrivals of Spanish defender Antonio Glauder, Brazilian attacker Jairo Da Silva and defender Ibrahim Manusi. JDT will kick off their pre-season with a tour of Spain from July 3-22, with one of the highlights being a friendly against newly promoted La Liga side Levante UD. Meanwhile, Fergus Tierney has signed with Super League side Sabah for the upcoming season. "We welcome our new forward, Fergus, who joins us after completing his loan with Thai League side Nakhon Pathom United and previously with JDT," the club announced on Facebook. "Part of Malaysia's national team, and now, part of our family. A new chapter begins." The 22-year-old Scottish-Malaysian forward has been on fans' radar since making his senior debut for Harimau Malaya late last year. Tierney was called up for the national training camp in November 2024 for friendlies against Laos and India, replacing the injured Romel Morales. He earned his first cap on Nov 14, 2024, in a 3-1 win over Laos, and scored his first international goal on Dec 8, 2024, in a 2-2 draw with Cambodia during the Asean Cup.
The Star
23-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
JDT sign Jon Irazabal from Azerbaijani club Sabah FK
PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) have bolstered their backline by signing Malaysian international Jon Irazabal. The 28-year-old from Bilbao, Spain, with Malaysian heritage through his grandparents, joins the 11-time Super League champions from Azerbaijani club Sabah FK. 'There's only one ultimate destination in Malaysia - JDT. Welcome, Jon Irazábal!' said the statement from the club. Irazabal recently made his debut for Malaysia when he helped Harimau Malaya thrash Vietnam 4-0 at the 2027 Asian Cup third-round qualifiers at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on June 10. Besides Irazabal, the other signings made by the Southern Tigers are Spanish centreback Antonio Glauder, Brazilian striker Jairo Da Silva and defensive midfielder Ibrahim Manusi.
The Star
08-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Nothing beats donning the Malaysia jersey for Irazabal
PETALING JAYA: Jon Irazabal has worn many jerseys in his career but none feel quite like the one he's donning now, the black and yellow of the Malaysian football team. The 28-year-old defender, who plies his trade with an Azerbaijani club Sabah, has now embraced his Malaysian roots fully by joining the Harimau Malaya set-up for the 2027 Asian Cup third-round qualifiers. And for Irazabal, the call-up is more than just a footballing milestone, it's personal. 'I am proud of my Malaysian heritage,' said Irazabal, whose grandfather is from Malaysia. 'The opportunity I have with the national team is amazing. The aim is to support the people and the country by putting up strong performances in the qualifiers.' The Spanish-born centreback, who qualifies through his Malaysian lineage, didn't hesitate when the national team came calling. 'Since I was contacted, it was an easy decision. Playing at this level, especially in the qualifiers, is a big experience and one I couldn't pass up.' Malaysia's football scene has grown steadily in stature and it hasn't gone unnoticed by Irazabal. 'The motivation is the fans -people who are a little bit crazy about the game,' he smiled. 'You can see it all over social media and you feel it in the stadiums. The atmosphere is excellent. The football culture here reminds me a lot of Spain—passionate, proud, and loud.' Irazabal joined the national squad right after finishing his club season with Sabah, wasting no time in linking up with coach Peter Cklamovski's team. 'It was quick. I finished the season and immediately joined the national team. Some of us came in after training had already begun, so it was a short period of adapting. But day by day, we're improving.' Known for his imposing presence at the back, Irazabal isn't just here to win headers, he wants to play his part in executing the coach's tactical vision. 'Yes, my height helps in aerial duels, but I know I can contribute more than that. I'm trying to integrate my game into the coach's philosophy, and I'm ready to take on this challenge.'
