KUALA LUMPUR: Ending his football career in a country on the other side of the world was far from Brazilian Paulo Josue's mind when he first came to Malaysia in 2017.
But that is now the script for Josue who hopes to end his playing days with KL City and become of their backroom coaching staff.
The man from Rio Grande do Sul, South Brazil, wants to hang up his boots in the Malaysian capital after growing roots with KL.
A journeyman with seven clubs in Brazil (each lasting a year or two), it is at KL that the Brazilian enjoyed playing the most.
And the loyal Josue, a reliable one-club man in the M-League, was fittingly accorded the captainship of KL. He proved his mettle by leading the City Boys to the Malaysia Cup title last year.
"We had a discussion (with team officials) for me to retire and stay with the club. It would be a great honour," said Josue.
"I have been a part of KL through many things. It would be a great opportunity for me to be part of the club's history and to finish my career here would mean a lot to me." said Josue who joined KL in 2017.
Today, he wants to focus on making history with KL in the AFC Cup inter-zonal semi-final against India's ATK Mohun Bagan in Kolkata.
The 33-year-old midfielder said: "I haven't thought too much about it (retiring) because I'm still young. If I have no fitness issues, I figured I could play for another five-six years."
"Of course, there's talk about it (retiring and helping KL in coaching). I can start considering it as an option, it's not a bad idea as this way I can still contribute to the club.
"My wife and kids are happy here. My kids go to school here, we have our life here." he said.
KL chief executive officer Stanley Bernard said: "It's nice to get a little talk about his twilight years. Josue has earned enough to do that," said Stanley.
"He is talented and one of those players intelligent in a way that he understands his body well."