Irfan Fandi

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 with the Singapore Police Forces.

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. In 2014, he was named as one of The Guardian's 40 best young talents in world football.

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.

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.

Universidad Católica

Irfan and Ikhsan then joined Chilean Primera División club Universidad Católica. Their stay in Chile was sponsored by CIMB Bank, which marked the banking institution’s first foray into cultivating sports talents in football. He made his first team debut by appearing from the bench for the club's senior team, in the 81th 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.

Universidad Católica

Irfan signed for Universidad Católica in 2014 becoming the first Singaporean to play in South America however he only made a single appearance for the club. He rejected a four year contract from the club in order to return to Singapore to fulfill his National Service obligations in Singapore.

Young Lions

On 5 June 2015, it was announced that Irfan was signed by S.League side Young Lions for the 2015 S.League season. Irfan agreed to sign for the Young Lions on a 6 months contract. 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. He scored 2 goals in 9 appearances for his club.

Home United FC

In January 2016, it was announced that Irfan would sign a two year contract 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 an altercation 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. He finished the season with 2 goals in 8 appearances for the club.

On 14 March 2017, it had been revealed that Puma will be signing him on a two years sponsorship deal. Also, it was revealed on 17 March 2017 that his former club Club Deportivo Universidad Católica is interested in re-signing Irfan after he finishes his national service obligations.

He scored his first goal of the 2017 S.League season, in a 0-2 victory over Hougang United, helping his club top the table after 4 matches played. Irfan followed up his first goal of the season 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, a win that saw Home United become the first side to reach the zonal semi-finals.

Youth

Lion 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.

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.

Irfan made his Singapore U23 debut and scored against Japan U22 on 14 February 2015.

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. 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. He collected his second cap in a friendly against Afghanistan before earning his first start in a Singapore shirt against Bahrain in Singapore's first match of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Third Round, helping the Lions to a 0-0 away draw against the highest ranked team in the group.

Singapore Selection Squad

He was selected as part of the Singapore Selection squad for The Sultan of Selangor’s Cup to be held on 6 May 2017.

Club

International

As of match played 7 April 2017 Appearances and goals by national team and year