The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) confirmed on Monday that Kosovan-born Liridon Krasniqi has received his Malaysian citizenship.

Pending final approval from FIFA, the Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) midfielder is all but set to become the second naturalised footballer to play for the Harimau Malaya, following in the footsteps of Pahang star Mohamadou Sumareh.

"The FAM will immediately submit all the new documents related to Liridon's citizenship approval to become a Malaysian citizen to FIFA to complete the necessary documentation.

"The FAM would like to once again extend our appreciation to Home Minister Tan Sri Dato' Haji Muhyiddin Haji Mohd Yassin and officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs for their help throughout the process to help Lirion get his Malaysian citizenship through naturalisation," read an official statement from FAM secretary-general Stuart Ramalingam.

Despite already making three appearances for Kosovo, the 28-year-old should be able to switch his international allegiance as those appearances were not for official FIFA matches.

Similarly, JDT team-mate La'Vere Corbin-Ong made his international debut for Canada in March 2017 but went on to feature for Malaysia, making his debut in June 2019 against Nepal.

Krasniqi came to Malaysia in 2015 when he was signed by Kedah, whom he helped secure Super League promotion in 2015 and win the 2016 Malaysia Cup and 2017 Malaysian FA Cup.

He joined Melaka United in 2019 before an injury curtailed his season.