MSL: Aimar vows to reverse JDT's fortune

He represents the biggest gamble by Malaysian Super League side Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) in their high-spending quest to dominate the Malaysian football scene.

Having played in two World Cups and a Uefa Champions League final, as well as winning league titles from Argentina to Spain and Portugal, Pablo Aimar is undoubtedly the biggest name to arrive at the league.

The highest-paid player in the league at a reported wage of RM7.2 million (S$2.78 million) a year, all eyes will be on the 34-year-old Argentinian playmaker to guide JDT to some trophies, after they failed to garner a single one last season.

For Aimar, it is a challenge he is eager to take on, after a successful five-year spell with Portuguese giants Benfica came to an end last June. "I felt the need to explore something new," he told The Straits Times.

This, despite interest from the Middle East football clubs, American outfit the New York Cosmos and River Plate - the Argentinian club where Aimar first shot to prominence over a decade ago.

"You cannot make comparisons," said Aimar, who has attracted over €40 million (S$69.4 million) in transfer fees over the course of his career.

"The realities of football in Europe, South American and Asia are completely different, right down to the way clubs are structured and how they develop.

"But I can feel that something big is happening at JDT. There's a long-term project, a determination on the part of the Crown Prince (Tunku Ismail Idris), to turn it into a top-class club."

And no expense has been spared, either.

The club's Larkin Stadium has taken on a more modern look with sliding glass doors greeting teams as they enter the 48-year-old complex, while plans are afoot to increase the seating capacity from 30,000 to 50,000.

And the home dressing room - flushed in the club's distinctive red and blue colours - has been upgraded to feature a hot tub and a dedicated treatment area.

"These are the things that teams need to perform," Aimar said. "You may not see them on the field but they are the most important on a day-to-day basis."

On the pitch, Tunku Ismail - who is also club president - has assembled a veritable "who's who" of Malaysian football by signing the likes of Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, Safee Sali and Amri Yahyah. They will be joined by Argentinians Aimar and striker Luciano Figuero, as well as Singapore internationals Baihakki Khaizan and Hariss Harun.

Aimar, who has also played for Valencia and Real Zaragoza, is determined to fare better than the club's big-name signing for 2013 - Spain's Euro 2008 winner Daniel Guiza - who was released after half a season.

"The purpose of a contract is to establish an agreement and fulfil it," he said. "For now, I can confidently say that I will be here for the whole year."

Malaysia international Aidil Zafuan - one of three captains appointed by the club - welcomed the news that Aimar is committed throughout the season.

"He's our best player by far," said the 26-year-old centre-back. "Of course, it's important that we play as a unit; anyone who can help the team win is an asset. But I'm glad that Pablo is playing for us, rather than against us."

fabiusc@sph.com.sg

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