MAHLER STEPS UP AGAIN

Versatile Lion joins top-tier Thai side Muangthong to further his career

- David Lee

Having excelled in his first season abroad with Indonesian club Madura United, national footballer Jacob Mahler is ready for the challenge of playing in South-east Asia's strongest league.

The 24-year-old has joined Thai League 1 side Muangthong United, inking a one-year deal on July 3 with an option for another year's extension.

He told The Straits Times: "The Indonesian league is on the way up, but Thailand has the best league now and this is the best option to grow further in the next step of my career.

"It's a step up for me. I'm excited to embark on this journey with one of the biggest clubs in Thai League 1, and this is a good opportunity to showcase my abilities."

Muangthong won the league in 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2016 and once boasted top Thai internationals such as playmaker Chanathip Songkrasin and dynamic left-back Theerathon Bunmathan before they furthered their careers in Japan.

Since then, the Kirins have been overtaken by other clubs. In the 2023-24 season, they finished fifth in the 16-team league, below Buriram United (champions), Bangkok United (2nd), Port FC (3rd) and BG Pathum United (4th).