KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) want to bring Luciano Figueroa back into their squad next season despite the Argentine forward having retired from football in 2015.
Figueroa spent two seasons with JDT, winning the Super League title twice and the AFC Cup in 2015 before announcing his retirement.
The 36-year-old striker returned to JDT as a club ambassador this year but sports director Martin Prest revealed that Figueroa will be part of the club's squad next season, possibly as a replacement for Lebanon striker Mohammed Ghaddar who has been linked with a move to Melaka.
"I would like to welcome back Figueroa into our squad for the 2018 season. He is our legend here and also our club ambassador. It's an honour to have him here with us," said Prest on the Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page.
"His experience and hard work will be an example to all our players. He’s been working hard on his fitness with us over the last couple of months, and continuing to work hard in Argentina."
JDT have embarked on a new strategy of hoarding the country's best young players after signing Adam Nor Azlin and Syamer Kutty Abba, both part of the national Under-22 team which won silver at the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games in August.
Kedah forward Syafiq Ahmad and Felcra defender Adib Zainuddin have also been linked to the four-time Super League champions but Figueroa's return goes against the club's new direction.
Former Argentina international Figueroa was named the best foreign player at the National Football Awards, scoring 42 goals in two seasons, but would be the oldest player in JDT’s squad.
With Singapore midfielder Hariss Harun also returning on loan from Home United, it remains to be seen how JDT will balance the need for the young players to get playing time against their push for trophies next season.
Prest, however, believes JDT have the right mix of young and senior players as they look to emulate European clubs Juventus, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain in nurturing talent.
"We are glad to have a quality player in our squad," said Prest, referring to Figueroa.
"We have quality senior players such as Luciano, Natxo (Insa), Marcos (Antonio), Hariss, Aidil (Zafuan Radzak) and Safiq (Rahim) to lead our young players and guide them to be top players in the future.
"We like how they do things in Juve, Bayern and PSG. A mix of experienced senior players and young talented players so 2018 will be interesting."