Reports are claiming that Wolves have overtaken Leeds United in the pursuit of Singapore international, Irfan Fandi. Nuno Espirito Santo is scouting the 20-year-old’s brother as well, Ikhsan Fandi who operates from the attacking positions.
The elder brother is versatile enough to appear in almost any position in the pitch and has 12 caps to his name for Singapore. He has also been capped 13 times for his country’s U22 and U23 sides.
Irfan Fandi appeared in 12 games in the Singapore Premier League and registered a goal to his name. He is the son of Singaporean footballing legend, Fandi Ahmad and South African model, Wendy Jacobs.
The 20-year-old started out on his professional career with the National Academy based out of his home nation. He earned plaudits by being named in Goal.com’s 20-man list of South Asian Rising Stars and also one of Guardian’s 40 best talents in the entire world.
Both Irfan and his brother had travelled to Spain in March 2013 for their trial with Hercules CF but ultimately could not tie down permanent contracts due to immigration issues. Their luck overturned with a Chilean Primera Liga side, AC Barnechea with whom they signed a two-year deal.
The brothers switched over to Universidad Catolica later and Irfan became the youngest Singaporean player to ever play in the Chilean first division, coming on as an 81st minutes substitute in the 4-0 win over San Luis de Quillota.
Irfan’s fortunes did not favour him in South America as he rejected a contract extension following his single appearance for Quillota. In June 2015, he travelled back home to agree to a 6-month deal with Young Lions and was immediately named in the starting lineup.
The 20-year-old appeared from the centre-back position and ended the season with 2 goals in 9 total appearances. After the 2015 S. League season ended, he switched to Home United FC and ended up scoring 2 in another 8 games in the very next campaign.
The following year he led the side to the top of the table and even scored in the continental stage to reach the zonal semi-finals. Irfan has always been a promising young talent, ever since his days with the Singaporean U15s with whom he impressed against Arsenal U15s and Eintracht Frankfurt U15s.
Maybe the time is now for him to try his luck in the European stage and the Wanderers seem like the perfect outlet. A newly promoted side with a stack of young and hungry talents is the right place for the 20-year-old to develop himself.
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With the Molineux-based outfit also now being a Premier League club, It will be quite interesting to see where his future lies.
