Irfan Fandi

Irfan Fandi Ahmad (born August 13, 1997) is a Singaporean footballer,^[1] who is currently playing for English Premier League club Chelsea F.C.

Personal life

Irfan is the son of Singaporean footballing legend Fandi Ahmad and South African model Wendy Jacobs. He has four siblings, three being younger brothers Ikhsan, Ilhan and Iryan, and the other being his sister Iman. He is currently serving National Service. ^[1]

Early career

Irfan started his career at the National Football Academy (Singapore). In 2013, Irfan was named as one of Goal.com's Top 20 Southeast Asian Rising Stars.^[2] In 2014, he was named as one of The Guardian's 40 best young talents in world football.^[3][4]

Hércules CF

In March 2013, Irfan and younger brother Ikhsan Fandi had an opportunity to secure their first overseas stint, which was supposed to be with Hércules, a professional club playing in the Spanish second division. However, the pair ultimately failed to secure contracts with the club due to issues relating with visas. Irfan and Ikhsan left the club after contracts could not be secured.^[5]

A.C. Barnechea

Later in 2013, Irfan and Ikhsan managed to sign for Chilean side A.C. Barnechea, having secured two-year contracts with the Chilean Primera División club.^[6]

Universidad Católica

Irfan and Ikhsan then joined Chilean Primera División club Universidad Católica.^[7] Their stay in Chile was sponsored by CIMB Bank, which marked the banking institution’s first foray into cultivating sports talents in football.^[8] He made his first team debut by appearing from the bench for the club's senior team, in the 75th minute, when Universidad Católica were leading 4-0 against San Luis de Quillota. He is, thus, the first Singaporean and also one of the youngest player to play in the Chilean football league.

Club career

Universidad Católica

Irfan signed for Universidad Católica in 2014 but only had 1 cap for the team.

Young Lions

On 5 March 2015, it was announced that Irfan was signed by S.League side Young Lions for the 2015 S.League season.^[9] Irfan agreed to sign for the Young Lions until 30 June 2015, in preparation for the upcoming 2015 SEA Games.^[10][11] On the same day Irfan's signing was announced, he was immediately named in the starting line-up that was to face Tampines Rovers, albeit in the more unfamiliar role of centre-back due to an injury suffered by captain Shakir Hamzah.^[12] He scored 2 goals in 7 appearances for his club.

Home United FC

In January 2016, it was announced that Irfan would sign for Home United for the upcoming 2016 S.League season along with his brother, Ikhsan Fandi. In that same season he got an opponent, Madhu Mohana sent off after and alteration with the player. He scored a brace against Balestier Khalsa in only his second start of the season after being away for most of the season due to National Service commitments.^[13]

Chelsea

On 27 November 2016, it was officially announced by Chelsea F.C. that the English football giant has acquired the service of Irfan Fandi. This marks the first time a South-East Asian is playing for a Premier League side.

International career

Youth

Irfan City Cup with the Singapore U16 side and impressed against Arsenal U15 and Eintracht Frankfurt U15 during the 25th edition of the Canon Lion City Cup in 2013 in Singapore.^[1][2]

In July 2014, Irfan and Ikhsan were not included in the Singapore U23 squad that traveled with the senior national team for a three-week training tour in Salzburg, Austria.^[14]

Irfan made his Singapore U23 debut and scored against Japan U22 on 14 February 2015.^[15][16]

Irfan was selected by coach Aide Iskandar for the 2015 Southeast Asian Games. In the competition, Irfan scored against Cambodia and assisted another goal. Notably, he had an acrobatic shot on goal where he headed the ball into the net, however the goal was disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper.^[17] Singapore were knocked out of the group stages following subsequent defeats to Indonesia and Myanmar.

Senior

In September 2016, Irfan was called up by national team coach V. Sundramoorthy for the friendlies against Malaysia and Hong Kong on 7 October and 11 October respectively. He made his debut against Hong Kong at the Mongkok Stadium, starting the game in a 2-0 loss for Singapore.^[18]

South Africa

As of November 2016, Irfan Fandi will no longer be playing for the Singapore national football team. He has made a decision to switch allegiance to his mother's country, citing better international football opportunity in South Africa.

Career statistics

Club

International

As of match played 27 November 2016 Appearances and goals by national team and year

! colspan=3 | South Africa National Team

U23 International goals

No	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	21 February 2015	Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore	Syria	1-2	1-2	U23 International Friendly
2	14 February 2015	Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore	Japan	1-8	1-8	U23 International Friendly
3	31 March 2015	New Laos National Stadium, Laos	Mongolia	1-1	2-2	2016 AFC U-23 Championship qualification
4	31 March 2015	New Laos National Stadium, Laos	Mongolia	2-2	2-2	2016 AFC U-23 Championship qualification
5	14 May 2015	Shizuoka Ashitaka Athletic Stadium, Japan	Azul Claro Numazu	1-2	1-2	U23 International Friendly
6	23 May 2015	Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore	Laos	1-1	5-1	U23 International Friendly
7	29 May 2015	Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore	Timor-Leste	2-0	2-0	U23 International Friendly

References