Irfan Fandi
Irfan bin Fandi Ahmad is a Singaporean professional footballer who plays as a defender for Thai League 1 club BG Pathum United and the Singapore national team. Irfan has also been occasionally deployed as a striker.
Club career
Youth
Irfan started his career at the National Football Academy. In 2013, he was listed as one of Goal.com's Top 20 Southeast Asian Rising Stars. In 2014, Irfan was also named as one of The Guardian's 40 best young talents in world football.In March 2013, Irfan had an opportunity to secure his first overseas stint, which was supposed to be with Hércules, a second-tier Spanish professional club. However, he failed to secure a contract with the club due to visa issues. He later joined Chilean side A.C. Barnechea, signing a two-year contract with the Chilean Primera División club.
Universidad Católica
Irfan then joined Chilean Primera División club Universidad Católica in 2014 and made his first team debut the following year, appearing from the bench for the club's senior team in the 81st minute, when Universidad Católica were leading 4-0 against San Luis de Quillota. However, Irfan later rejected a two-year contract from the club in order to return to Singapore and fulfil his National Service obligations.Young Lions
On 5 June 2015, it was announced that Irfan would join S.League side Young Lions for the 2015 S.League season on a six-month contract. On the same day, he was immediately named in the starting line-up to face Tampines Rovers, due to an injury suffered by Shakir Hamzah.Home United
In January 2016, it was announced that Irfan signed a two-year contract for Home United for the upcoming 2016 S.League season along with his brother, Ikhsan. 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.On 14 March 2017, Puma was revealed to have signed Irfan on a two-year sponsorship deal. Irfan's former club Club Deportivo Universidad Católica was also reportedly interested in re-signing him following the completion of his national service.
Irfan scored his first goal for the 2017 S.League season in a 0-2 victory over Hougang United, later following up with his first at the continental level, scoring in the 24th minute against Yadanarbon F.C. to give his side a 3-0 lead in an eventual 4-1 win. The win saw Home United become the first side to advance to the zonal semi-finals. Irfan was later nominated for the S.League's Young player of the Season award. His performances also drew the attention of Thai League side Bangkok Glass and was offered a trial with English Championship side Leeds United in March 2018.
Return to Young Lions
Irfan returned to join the Young Lions after his national service for the 2018 Singapore Premier League season.In February 2018, Irfan, together with his brother, Ikhsan, went on trials at Eredivisie club, Groningen. He also went on another trial with Portuguese top-tier side, S.C. Braga, and was later offered a two-year deal, with the club retaining the option to extend the contract by two additional years. Irfan rejected the offer, citing that he felt lonely and was bored during his brief stint with the club. He would also have to compensate 15 million dollars should he decide to leave the club after the first two years of the contract. Irfan eventually rejoined the Young Lions and ended the season with 22 appearances with 3 goals.
BG Pathum United
On 11 November 2018, it was confirmed that Irfan would join BG Pathum United to fill up the club's ASEAN slot for the 2019 Thai League 2 season. Irfan agreed to join the Thai side despite their relegation as they had been interested in signing him for two years. In his first season, he helped BG Pathum secure promotion back to the Thai League 1. However, he was sent off in the first half of his first top-flight game in Thailand, when BG Pathum trailed Muangthong United 1-0. The club eventually won the game 2-1.International career
Youth
Irfan was part of the Singapore U16 side in the 25th edition of the Canon Lion City Cup held in 2013, impressing against Arsenal U15 and Eintracht Frankfurt U15. He made his Singapore U23 debut on 14 February 2015, scoring against the Japan U22s, and was selected by coach Aide Iskandar for the 2015 Southeast Asian Games.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 for the senior national team against Hong Kong at the Mongkok Stadium, starting the game in a 2-0 loss for Singapore. He earned his second cap in a friendly against Afghanistan before securing his first start against Bahrain in Singapore's first third-round match of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification, helping the Lions earn a 0-0 away draw.Irfan was selected as part of the Singapore Selection squad for The Sultan of Selangor's Cup to be held on 6 May 2017. He also made his AFF Championship debut in the 2018 iteration on 9 November, with a 1-0 win over Indonesia.
Personal life
Irfan is the eldest son of Singaporean footballing legend Fandi Ahmad and South African model, Wendy Jacobs. He has four siblings, including younger brothers Ikhsan who plays for Raufoss IL and Ilhan who represents the Young Lions.Career statistics
Club
International
Appearances and goals by national team and year
Appearances in chronological order
International goals
| No | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1 | 10 October 2017 | Köpetdag Stadium, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
International U23 goals
Honours
Club
;BG Pathum United- Thai League 2 : 2019