Singapore defender Safuwan Baharudin will head for trials with an A-League club next month in a bid to earn a contract in Australia.
The 24-year-old has been one of LionsXII's top performers over the last three years and was an integral member of the 2013 Malaysian Super League (MSL) title-winning squad.
Despite being courted by MSL teams like Sarawak FA and Terengganu FA in recent months, he chose to remain with Fandi Ahmad's side. But he says he is now ready to venture abroad to take his career to the next level.
Safuwan told the New Paper: "There's no more holding back now. If an A-League team want me, then it's a 100 percent 'yes' from me.
"I have been holding back for the past two years where I have turned down offers from the region due to personal reasons.
"I'm 24 next year, and I feel this is the right time to venture out and see how far I can go. I've spoken to my wife about this and she is supportive."
It is understood that the A-League trial will be arranged by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS). But the federation has not yet confirmed which club will be the chosen destination.
FAS spokesmen Gerard Wong said: "The FAS is pleased to note that our youth and senior players are increasingly attracting attention from clubs around Asia and Europe.
"It reinforces our belief that our players have the talent and ability to play professional football at a higher level.
"On our part, the FAS will always seek opportunities for our players to ply their trade overseas as part of our constant efforts to help them realise their true potential."
While his heart is set on a move to Australia, Safuwan in concentrating, for now, on the 2015 MSL season. He reckons that LionsXII can improve on last season's standings where they finished eighth out of 12 teams.
He said: "We definitely want to finish better than last season, and I feel we are capable of that."
LionsXII are due to start their campaign on Jan. 31 but the Football Association of Malaysia has yet to release the fixture schedule.