A footballer who was suspended for leading fans in antisemitic chanting has joined Cardiff City - but Jewish communal leaders who support the club have welcomed the signing.

Lex Immers, a 29-year-old attacking midfielder owned by Dutch side Feyenoord, has joined Cardiff on loan until the end of the season.

In 2011 he was banned for five games after leading ADO Den Haag fans in a chant of “We're going to hunt for Jews” after beating Ajax, a side historically associated with the Jewish community.

He apologised for the incident afterwards, explaining that “when I sing ‘We’re going to hunt for Jews,’ I mean that we want to beat Ajax. Nothing more, nothing less. The slogan ‘We’re going to hunt for Jews’ seemed innocent.”

Board of Deputies vice-president Sheila Gewolb, who represents Cardiff United Synagogue, said: “The fact that Cardiff City have signed a footballer who has been banned for singing a virulently antisemitic song is a cause for concern.

“However, the player has apparently apologised unreservedly for his actions and we hope that he has learned from the experience. He should be aware that in the UK we have zero tolerance for any type of racism both in football and in society in general and we hope his behaviour will reflect this.”

Similarly, Philip Kaye, the Honorary Consul for Israel and a Cardiff City fan, said that if the player has “apologised and served his ban, let’s move on. I’m not worried he’s going to do that again. I’m sure the young man’s learned his lesson, and that he will prove a very positive signing for Cardiff City.

“Let’s hope he scores the goals to help our push for the playoffs.”

Cardiff Jewish Representative Council chairman and Cardiff City season ticket holder, Stanley Soffa, said the antisemitic chanting was “in the past,” adding that the midfielder “got carried away.

“We want to judge him on the football field and not for something he did a few years ago, but we will obviously keep an eye on him.”

Former Cardiff manager Malky Mackay was investigated by the Football Association last year after sending messages to sporting director Iain Moody which included antisemitic, racist, sexist and homophobic remarks.