PASSAGE TO EUROPE FOR YOUTH

Albirex’s project to hold trials next month; reward is stint with Belgium club Deinze

- David Lee

The Lions' Ilhan Fandi may be the sole Singaporean footballer playing for a European club, but Albirex Niigata and KMSK Deinze, his former and current clubs, believe he need not be the only one, as South-east Asians have what it takes to get there.

On Friday, Singapore Premier League (SPL) champions Albirex announced the Rising Star Singapore project in partnership with Belgian second-tier club Deinze, opening up another pathway to Europe for local footballers.

There will be trials on Nov 11 and 12, culminating in a final cut on Nov 19 for their Under-15 and Under-17 Centres of Excellence teams.

Outstanding youngsters from these trials will then go on a free training stint in 2024 with Deinze, who signed Ilhan after the youngster had a breakthrough SPL season with Albirex in 2022.

This will be a pilot project that could become an annual programme.

Albirex chairman Daisuke Korenaga said: "We believe this will be a valuable project to connect Singapore and worldwide football, and we dream that Singaporean players will play on the world stage."