Sikh Izhan

In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Sikh Azman is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Sikh Izhan Nazrel. The word "bin" or "binti"/"binte" means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.

Sikh Izhan Nazrel bin Sikh Azman (Arabic: الشيخ إيدهان نازريل بن الشيخ أزمان; born 23 March 2002) is a Malaysian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Malaysia Super League club Penang, on loan from Selangor, and the Malaysia national team.

Sikh Izhan Nazrel

Personal information
Full name	Sikh Izhan Nazrel bin Sikh Azman[1]
Date of birth	(2002-03-23) 23 March 2002 (age 22)[1]
Place of birth	Seberang Jaya, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.[1]
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[1]
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team	Penang (on loan from Selangor)
Number	23
Youth career
2007–2012	Bintang Biru Academy
2012–2014	NFDP
2015	Malaysia Pahang Sports School
2016	Bukit Jalil Sports School
2017–2019	NFDP
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2020	Selangor II	31	(0)
2021–	Selangor	1	(0)
2023	→ Negeri Sembilan (loan)	24	(0)
2024–	→ Penang (loan)	11	(0)
International career‡
2015	Malaysia U13
2015–2018	Malaysia U16
2019–2021	Malaysia U19
2021–	Malaysia U23	1	(0)
2023–	Malaysia	1	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:24, 6 October 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20 June 2023

Early life

Sikh Izhan was born in Seberang Jaya, Penang, Malaysia and is the third child among four siblings.^[2]

At the age of five, Sikh Izhan joined Bintang Biru Academy. At the age of ten, he was spotted by while playing in a tournament and invited got him on the Project 2019 team, citing his size. He travel alone by bus from Penang every weekend to train with the team in Bukit Jalil until the age of 12. He was transferred to Malaysia Pahang Sports School at the age of 13 and transferred to the Bukit Jalil Sports School next year. He moved once again at the age of 15 to the Mokhtar Dahari Academy.^[2]

Sikh Izhan was part of the national youth squad that won the 2015 Iber Cup in Spain and 2016 SuperMokh Cup. He also was once nominated as the Goalkeeper of the Tournament in the 2016 Elite Cup in France.^[3]

Club career

Selangor

On 26 February 2020, Selangor has announced Sikh Izhan as Selangor II new signing.^[4] On 13 August 2021, Sheikh Izhan made his debut for the first-team aged 19. He conceded two goals in an away league match against Kedah Darul Aman as Selangor won 2–4.^[5]

CF Fuenlabrada trial

In November 2021, Spanish Segunda División side CF Fuenlabrada invited Sikh Izhan to attends trials with the club.^[6] In the same month, the club stated that they want to extend the trial period. He trained with both the first team and the under-22 squad during the trial session.^[7]

Negeri Sembilan (loan)

On 18 January 2023, Sikh Izhan joined Negeri Sembilan on a season-long loan.^[8]

International career

Youth

Sikh Izhan represented the Malaysian at various youth levels.^[9] He was part of the 2018 AFC U-16 Championship squad.^[10]

Senior

Sikh Izhan made his senior international debut in a 10–0 win over Papua New Guinea on 20 June 2023.^[11] He was part of the squad to represent Malaysia at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar though he didn't make any single appearance.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 9 June 2023^[12][13]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		League Cup		Continental		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Selangor II	2020	Malaysia Premier League	4	0	—						4	0
	2021	Malaysia Premier League	16	0	—						16	0
	2022	Malaysia Premier League	11	0	—						11	0
	Total		31	0	—						31	0
Selangor	2021	Malaysia Super League	1	0	0	0	0	0	—		1	0
	2022	Malaysia Super League	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	Total		1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Negeri Sembilan (loan)	2023	Malaysia Super League	24	0	2	0	0	0	—		26	0
Career total			56	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	58	0

References

1. "Kenali Pemain Malaysia di AFC U16 - Sikh Izhan Nazrel Sikh Azman". Football Association of Malaysia. 18 September 2018.
2. "Meet Sikh Izhan, Malaysia U-19 goalkeeper who travelled 600km to weekly training by himself at age 10 | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
3. "KENALI PEMAIN MALAYSIA DI AFC U16 - SIKH IZHAN NAZREL SIKH AZMAN | FAM". fam.org.my. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
4. "Graduan AMD perkuat Selangor II". Berita Harian. 26 February 2020.
5. "Keeper Sikh Izhan catches the eye in Super League debut at 19". The Star. 17 August 2021.
6. "Young keeper Sikh Izhan bound for trials in Spain". The Star. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
7. Hashim, Firdaus (26 November 2021). "Kelab Sepanyol puas hati prestasi Sikh Izhan". Harian Metro. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
8. Noor, Azim (17 January 2023). "Sikh Izhan Tinggalkan Selangor, Sertai Negeri Sembilan". makanbola.com. Makan Bola. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
9. "Meet Sikh Izhan, Malaysia U-19 goalkeeper who travelled 600km to weekly training by himself at age 10". Goal.com. 30 May 2020.
10. "Senarai 23 Pemain Skuad Malaysia Ke Kejuaraan B-16 AFC 2018". Football Association of Malaysia. 14 September 2018.
11. Rampant Harimau Malaya thrash Papua New Guinea 10-0 - Free Malaysia Today, 21 June 2023.
12. "Sikh Izhan Nazrel". Soccerway.com. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
13. "Sikh Izhan Nazrel". www.malaysianfootballleague.com. Retrieved 20 June 2023.

External links

• Sikh Izhan at Soccerway