Azam Azmi
Muhammad Azam bin Azmi Murad, commonly known as Azam Azmi, is a Malaysian professional footballer who plays primarily as a right-back for Terengganu FC in the Malaysia Super League, currently on loan from Johor Darul Ta'zim until May 2026.[1] Born on 12 February 2001 in Penang, Malaysia, he stands at 1.74 meters tall and is right-footed, capable of also operating as a right midfielder or central midfielder.[1] Azam began his professional career with Terengganu FC, making his senior debut in the 2019–20 Malaysia Super League season, and has since accumulated over 130 appearances and 6 goals for the club across multiple stints.[2] Azam's club journey includes a transfer to Johor Darul Ta'zim on 1 January 2024, followed by a loan return to Terengganu on 28 February 2024, where he has continued to feature prominently, including in the 2024–25 AFC Cup. In the 2025–26 season, as of November 2025, he has made 7 appearances in the Super League, scoring 2 goals and providing 2 assists in 624 minutes of play.[2] His performances have contributed to Terengganu's competitive campaigns in domestic competitions, including a win in the 2025 Maybank Challenge Cup with the ASEAN All-Stars team. On the international stage, Azam debuted for the Malaysia national team on 22 September 2022 in a friendly against Thailand, coming on as a substitute.[3] As of November 2025, he has earned 13 caps, including starts in key matches such as the 2022 AFF Championship and World Cup qualifiers, while scoring his first two international goals in a 10–0 friendly victory over Papua New Guinea on 20 June 2023.[3][4] His versatility and defensive reliability have made him a regular squad member for Malaysia's senior team efforts in regional tournaments.[3]Early life and youth career
Early life
Muhammad Azam bin Azmi Murad, commonly known as Azam Azmi, was born on 12 February 2001 in Penang, Malaysia.[1]Youth career
Azam began his youth career with Terengganu FC Youth until 2019.[1]Senior club career
Terengganu (first stint)
Azam Azmi made his senior professional debut for Terengganu FC on 22 August 2020, entering as a substitute for the final 7 minutes in a Malaysia Super League match against Petaling Jaya City FC, which ended in a 2-0 victory for Terengganu. Primarily deployed as a right-back, he transitioned from his youth progression with Terengganu II into the senior squad, establishing himself in the defensive line during the disrupted 2020 season affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] Over the 2020–2023 period, Azam appeared in 65 matches for Terengganu across all competitions, contributing 1 goal while focusing on defensive solidity and overlapping runs typical of his right-back role.[5] In the 2020 Super League, Terengganu finished third, with Azam featuring sporadically as a backup option amid the league's condensed schedule. His involvement grew in 2021, helping the team secure fourth place in the league, before becoming a more regular starter in 2022 as Terengganu achieved runners-up position and advanced to the Malaysia FA Cup final, where they fell 3-1 to Johor Darul Ta'zim despite Azam's contributions in the knockout stages.[6] A highlight of the 2023 season came in continental competition, as Azam earned his AFC Cup debut on 20 September 2023, starting in Terengganu's 1-0 group stage win over Central Coast Mariners at Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium.[7] In that match, he logged the full 90 minutes, effectively containing the Australian side's attacks on the right flank and aiding the clean sheet with precise tackling and positioning, underscoring his development into a reliable starter for the Turtles' Asian campaign.[5]Johor Darul Ta'zim
Azam Azmi joined Johor Darul Ta'zim on 1 January 2024, transferring from Terengganu FC in a high-profile move prompted by his strong performances as a right-back in the previous season. The signing was intended to bolster JDT's defensive options at the reigning Malaysia Super League champions, with Azam viewing the opportunity as a step toward bigger challenges in Malaysian football's elite environment. He agreed to a three-year contract until November 2026.[8] Despite the anticipation surrounding his arrival, Azam made zero first-team appearances for JDT during his brief tenure, which lasted less than two months. This lack of on-field involvement stemmed from the club's decision to loan him back to Terengganu on 28 February 2024, as part of a broader player exchange that included forward Safawi Rasid moving to JDT. The arrangement reflected JDT's substantial squad depth in the right-back position, prioritizing Azam's continued development through regular match exposure elsewhere over immediate integration into their competitive lineup. During this short period, Azam focused on training sessions with the JDT squad, adapting to their high-intensity routines and collaborating with established professionals.[9][10] The experience at JDT, though without competitive minutes, contributed to Azam's career progression by exposing him to advanced tactical drills and the professionalism of a title-contending team, helping him sustain peak physical condition ahead of his return to regular play.[1]Terengganu (return)
In February 2024, Azam Azmi rejoined Terengganu FC on a season-long loan from Johor Darul Ta'zim, with the agreement set to run until May 31, 2026, enabling his swift return to the squad as a starting right-back.[1] The move facilitated immediate reintegration, allowing him to feature in matches shortly after the transfer window, and the loan was extended on 17 June 2025 to cover the full duration of the 2025–26 campaign.[1] This return marked a resurgence for Azam, who had faced limited opportunities during his brief stint at Johor Darul Ta'zim earlier that year.[11] Across the 2024–25 and 2025–26 seasons, Azam has made 27 appearances in the Malaysia Super League for Terengganu, scoring 2 goals and demonstrating enhanced attacking involvement from his right-back role, including overlaps and set-piece contributions that bolstered the team's offensive transitions.[5] In the 2024–25 Super League, he logged 20 appearances without finding the net but provided defensive stability in a campaign that saw Terengganu challenge for top positions.[11] His form carried into the 2025–26 season, where, as of November 2025, he has featured in 7 league matches, netting both goals and adding 2 assists while starting 88% of games and playing 87% of available minutes.[12] During the 2024–25 AFC Cup, Azam featured prominently in group stage matches, contributing to Terengganu's efforts in the continental competition.[5] As of November 2025, Azam continues to play a pivotal role in Terengganu's squad dynamics, particularly in high-stakes league fixtures and cup ties, where his versatility in advancing play has helped maintain the team's competitive edge in the Super League title race. For instance, in recent outings, including defensive stands against promotion contenders, he has averaged high passing accuracy and key recoveries, underscoring his growth into a more complete full-back since his return.[5]International career
Youth international career
Azam Azmi began his youth international career with the Malaysia U19 national team in 2019, making 8 appearances and scoring 1 goal over the 2019–2020 period. He featured prominently in the AFF U-19 Youth Championship held in Vietnam, where Malaysia advanced through the group stages before being eliminated in the semifinals by Thailand. During the tournament, Azam Azmi contributed defensively from the right-back position while showing attacking intent, including a key performance in the 3-0 group stage win over Australia on 13 August 2019.[13] In the 2020 AFC U-19 Championship qualifiers hosted in Uzbekistan, Azam Azmi played a pivotal role in Malaysia's successful campaign to qualify for the finals, appearing in matches against Brunei, Timor-Leste, and Thailand. His standout moment came in the 11-0 rout of Brunei on 6 November 2019, where he scored in the 60th minute to extend Malaysia's lead. Additionally, in the decisive 1-0 victory over Thailand on 10 November 2019, Azam Azmi delivered the precise cross for Muhammad Umar's winning goal, securing Malaysia's spot in the continental finals for the first time since 2012.[14][15] Transitioning to the Malaysia U22 team in 2023, Azam Azmi recorded 6 appearances without scoring, primarily focusing on preparation for major tournaments like the SEA Games. Selected for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia, he bolstered the defense in group stage fixtures, including the 7-0 thrashing of Singapore on 11 May 2023, where Malaysia topped Group B before exiting in the semifinals to Thailand. His experience from club football aided his selection, emphasizing solid tackling and overlapping runs to support attacks.[16][17] Azam Azmi advanced to the Malaysia U23 squad in 2021, accumulating 12 appearances and no goals as of late 2025, with a focus on defensive solidity in high-stakes competitions. He was instrumental in the 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup in Uzbekistan, starting all three group stage matches and providing key interceptions during Malaysia's campaign, which saw them finish third in Group B with a notable 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia. In the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers, Azam Azmi featured in three games against Mongolia, Timor-Leste, and the Philippines, contributing to victories including 3-1 over Mongolia and 3-0 over Timor-Leste.[18][19]Senior international career
Azam Azmi earned his first senior cap for the Malaysia national team on 22 September 2022, entering as a substitute in the 79th minute of a friendly match against Thailand that finished 1–1, with Malaysia progressing 5–3 in the subsequent penalty shootout.[20] This debut marked his transition from youth international duties to the senior setup under coach Kim Pan-gon.[3] Azmi quickly became a regular in defensive rotations during the 2022 AFF Championship, starting in group stage fixtures such as the 4–0 victory over Cambodia on 9 December 2022 and the 3–0 win against Maldives five days later.[4] He also featured against Myanmar in a 1–0 success on 21 December 2022 but received a straight red card in the 68th minute of a 3–0 defeat to Vietnam on 27 December, impacting Malaysia's group standing. In the semi-final second leg against Thailand on 10 January 2023, he started and played the full 90 minutes in a 3–0 loss, concluding Malaysia's tournament campaign. As a right-back, Azmi contributed to the team's compact defensive structure, often providing width on overlaps while maintaining solidity in transitions.[1] In 2023, Azmi's involvement continued through friendlies, including starts in a 4–2 win over India on 13 October and a 10–0 thrashing of Papua New Guinea on 20 June, where he delivered key assists in the second half.[21] His consistent club form, highlighted by a standout AFC Cup debut for Terengganu in September 2023, led to further national team call-ups, reinforcing his role in the backline. Azmi featured in Malaysia's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, starting the first leg against Oman on 21 March 2024 before a substitute appearance of 26 minutes in the 0–2 return leg five days later, where he sustained a serious injury that sidelined him for several months.[22] He returned for friendlies later that year, including 19 minutes off the bench in a 4–0 loss to New Zealand on 14 October 2024 and 63 minutes in a 1–1 draw with India on 18 November 2024, often deployed to bolster defensive depth in high-stakes setups. In 2025, he appeared in Asian Cup qualifiers against Laos in October.[23][24][25] As of November 2025, Azmi has accumulated 13 senior international appearances for Malaysia, all without scoring a goal, establishing himself as a reliable option in the national team's defensive strategy across qualifiers and regional tournaments.[26]Career statistics
Club
Azam Azmi has made 132 appearances and scored 6 goals in club competitions as of November 2025.[27] His career has been with Terengganu FC across multiple stints from 2020 onward, with no appearances for Johor Darul Ta'zim due to immediate loan back. Injuries, including a hamstring issue in early 2024 and a suspension in 2023, limited his playing time during these periods.| Season | Club | League (Apps/Goals) | Cup (Apps/Goals) | Continental (Apps/Goals) | Total (Apps/Goals) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Terengganu | 1/0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 1/0 |
| 2021 | Terengganu | 12/1 | 2/0 | 0/0 | 14/1 |
| 2022 | Terengganu | 18/0 | 3/0 | 0/0 | 21/0 |
| 2023 | Terengganu | 21/0 | 3/0 | 3/0 | 27/0 |
| 2024 | Johor Darul Ta'zim | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0/0 |
| 2024–25 | Terengganu (loan) | 6/0 | 3/0 | 0/0 | 9/0 |
| 2025 | Terengganu | 7/2 | 4/0 | 1/0 | 12/2 |
| Total | 65/3 | 15/0 | 4/0 | 132/6 |
International
Azam Azmi has represented Malaysia at both youth and senior international levels, accumulating a total of approximately 40 appearances and 1 goal as of November 2025.[4]Senior international statistics
As of November 2025, Azam Azmi has made 14 appearances for the Malaysia senior national team without scoring any goals. His appearances span various competitions, including regional tournaments and qualifiers.[29]| Competition | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| AFF Championship | 3 | 0 |
| World Cup qualifiers | 4 | 0 |
| Asian Cup qualifiers | 3 | 0 |
| Friendlies | 4 | 0 |
| Total | 14 | 0 |
Youth international statistics
Azam Azmi's youth international career includes stints with Malaysia's U19, U22, and U23 teams, totaling 26 appearances and 1 goal as of November 2025 (no significant updates post-2023 verified).[30]| Team | Appearances | Goals | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| U19 | 8 | 1 | 2019–2020 |
| U22 | 6 | 0 | 2023 |
| U23 | 12 | 0 | 2021–2025 |
| Total | 26 | 1 |