Mar Diano. (Photo courtesy of PFL)
MANILA – Mar Diano is set to join two more Filipino footballers at Thai League 1 (T1) club Muangthong United.
Azkals coach Scott Cooper confirmed on Monday that Diano, a product of the national team's developmental squad, is joining Muangthong.
“We feel that it’s a good move because Muangthong is a strong club with a big history,” Cooper said.
Muangthong is known as the first Thai club to win the T1, then known as the Thailand Premier League, championship after two consecutive promotions, doing the trick in 2009 after ruling the Thailand Division 2, which in 2017 became Thai League 4 following the creation of the then new Thai League 3, in 2007 and the Thailand Division 1, now known as Thai League 2, in 2008.
Diano is joining fellow Azkals Development Team (ADT) player Jarvey Gayoso and Azkals veteran Daisuke Sato at Muangthong.
Cooper said that Diano and Gayoso are set to fly to Bangkok later this month to finalize their new contracts.
“Both players can thrive in the Thai League and it will help them that they are in the same club,” Cooper further commented.
After graduating from the University of the East, the 23-year-old Diano joined Mendiola, which was re-formed for the 2019 Philippines Football League (PFL) season.
After the league season wrapped up, Diano was called up for the ADT for the Copa Paulino Alcantara and the Southeast Asian Games.
Diano, listed as a defender, scored a goal for the ADT against Timor Leste in their final group stage match which they won, 6-1.
“He had a wonderful SEA Games campaign,” Cooper continued.
This year, Diano stayed with the ADT for the PFL season, in which the team finished in third place, a great achievement for the guest squad.
Beginning next year, Diano would be taking his acts to Thailand.
"We feel that this move will only develop his career, help him go from strength to strength and hopefully develop him into an Azkal," Cooper further quipped. "I’ve never been afraid to give young players an opportunity. I think we can be proud." (PNA)
