Portuguese club Portimonense SC have such a high expectation of Safawi Rasid that they hope the Malaysian will turn out to be another Shoya Nakajima.
Nakajima, described as Japan's new generation of stars, joined Portimonense in 2017 from FC Tokyo before moving to Qatar's Al Duhail SC for a staggering transfer fee of €35 million (RM171 million). The attacking midfielder was later signed by Portugal's big guns Porto for €12 million.
Safawi flew to Portugal, the land of Cristiano Ronaldo, last Saturday before the European transfer window deadline of Oct 5 after helping JDT win their seventh consecutive Super League title.
Safawi, who joined Portimonense on a season-long loan from JDT with an option to buy, was introduced to the Portuguese media yesterday by the club's president of football operations Rodiney Sampaio.
Sampaio said he hopes Safawi will be as successful as Nakajima, if not better.
At the press conference, the 23-year-old from Dungun, Terengganu, spoke with confidence on facing the challenges ahead in Portugal's top flight competition.
Safawi, who will wear the number 29 jersey in Portimonense, said he hopes to do as well as Nakajima and Brazilian midfielder Bruno Tabata, another top player at Portimonense.
"I want to be like Nakajima and Tabata. For me, as a footballer, I want to play fast, help the club, and give something back.
"I can't wait to be in action for my first game. I can be placed in an attacking position," said Safawi who is explosive as a winger or striker.
According to Sampaio, the Portuguese club have been tracking Safawi for quite some time, and he described Safawi as the "Malaysian reinforcement" for the club.
"He's a player that we've been keeping track of for a long time, as was the case of Nakajima. When Nakajima first arrived, no many knew him but he worked hard on the field, and today he is a well known player.
"I hope Safawi will be like Nakajima but also help his teammates.
"Safawi is a player with good technical skill and speed, and we have brought him in to reinforce our Portimonense SC squad."