SINGAPOREANS OVERSEAS
Singapore footballers and coaches have ventured abroad to ply their trade and share their expertise around the world. Here are the stories of Singaporeans making their mark in football overseas.
Showing articles from 2018–2020 — Page 2 of 3
Fulham teenager Ben Davis stuns Singapore by choosing Thailand after dispute over his attempts to defer mandatory national service
The South China Morning Post examined how Ben Davis — once celebrated as Singapore's first Premier League-contracted player — ended up committing to Thailand's national team instead of Singapore's Lions. His path to Fulham's first team had been derailed by Singapore's Ministry of Defence rejecting his national service deferment, with his father's public statements ultimately souring the relationship between the family and authorities. The article drew on perspectives from football observers who described a breakdown in communication as the critical factor in losing a generational talent.
Ikhsan Fandi scores on full debut for new club in a match against his former team
Singaporean striker Ikhsan Fandi scored a towering header on his full debut for new Norwegian club FK Jerv — against his former side Raufoss IL. He had secured a transfer deadline-day move to Jerv, becoming the first Singaporean to play professionally for two European clubs. Jerv reportedly paid Raufoss over US$50,000 (with a sell-on clause), with the club citing Ikhsan's heading ability, nimbleness, and goal-scoring instinct as key reasons for the transfer.
From missing Messi to training from home — How Gabriel Quak is getting on during Singapore's Circuit Breaker
Singapore international winger Gabriel Quak reflected on his overseas career — including stints in Malaysia's Super League with LionsXII and in Thailand's top flight with Royal Thai Navy FC — during the Covid-19 circuit breaker that halted football. He compared the three Southeast Asian leagues he had played in, noting Thai football was more technical, Malaysia more physical, while Singapore sat somewhere in between. Quak acknowledged that with his children now of school age, uprooting his family for another overseas move would be difficult, making it likely his days playing abroad were behind him.
Irfan Fandi is focused on Thai League 1 with BG Pathum United but Europe remains his goal
In an exclusive ESPN interview, Irfan Fandi spoke about life in Thailand with BG Pathum United and his dream of one day playing in Europe. The Singaporean centre-back said he had settled comfortably in Thailand and was focused on helping Pathum win the Thai League 1, even as his younger brother Ikhsan was making waves in Norway. He acknowledged the pressures of being Fandi Ahmad's son but said the family dynamic of competing siblings pushed each of them to constantly improve.
Ikhsan Fandi scores 1st goal for Norwegian club Raufoss with last-minute overhead kick winner
Ikhsan Fandi scored a dramatic, last-minute overhead kick to secure a 3–2 win for Norwegian second-division side Raufoss IL, his first-ever goal for the club. The feat drew comparisons to his father Fandi Ahmad, who had scored 11 league goals for Dutch side Groningen decades earlier, and was celebrated by Singaporean football fans as further proof of the family's footballing talent. It marked an important milestone in Ikhsan's early development as a professional footballer in Scandinavia.
Ikhsan Fandi wants jersey number '9'. Not '17' of his legendary father Fandi
The 19-year-old Ikhsan Fandi became the first Singaporean in 30 years to join a European club when he signed a two-year deal with Norwegian second-tier side Raufoss IL. Following in his father Fandi Ahmad's footsteps, Ikhsan spoke of the pressures of living up to his father's legacy while asserting his own identity by wearing the number 9 jersey. He noted that life in Norway required independence and adaptability — traits he believed Singaporean footballers needed to develop to thrive abroad.
Singapore's Shakir Hamzah gets Hijau-Kuning welcome
Singaporean defender Shakir Hamzah was warmly welcomed by Kedah FA fans after signing for the Malaysian Super League club ahead of the 2019 season. His former national team coach Aidil Sharin Sahak, newly appointed as Kedah's head coach, praised Shakir as Singapore's best footballer that year, highlighting his work rate and defensive composure. Shakir would go on to have an outstanding debut season with Kedah, winning the Malaysia FA Cup and earning a place in the league's Team of the Season.
Anders Aplin: From Amateur Football to J-League
In an exclusive interview, Singapore defender Anders Aplin described how he became the first Singaporean to play in Japan's J2 League after joining Matsumoto Yamaga on a mid-season loan from Geylang International. Having only turned professional at 25 after completing a business degree at Nanyang Technological University, Aplin spoke candidly about the adjustment to Japanese football culture, with its intense training standards, advanced recovery facilities, and tactical discipline. He reflected on the contrast with the Singapore Premier League and what Asian football clubs could learn from the Japanese model.