Darren Lok was working shifts in an NHS psychiatric hospital as a psychiatric support worker[6] in the south of England while also playing part-time football for Eastbourne Borough of the National League South, the sixth tier overall of the English football league system.

[10] Early in his Borough career, Lok gained a reputation as a 'super-sub' due to the late goals he would score after coming off the bench.

[11] At the end of the 2015-16 season, Lok left Eastbourne to sign for Johor Darul Ta'zim II in the Malaysia Premier League.

In September 2016 he received his Malaysian passport, which enabled him to play for JDT II as well as the Malaysia national football team.

He cited a lack of playing time as one of the reasons for his decision to join PJ City after a one-year stint with Terengganu .