Adam Swandi

Adam Bin Swandi (born 12 January 1996) is a Singaporean professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Singapore Premier League club Lion City Sailors and the Singapore national team.

Adam Swandi
Personal information
Full name Adam Bin Swandi[1]
Date of birth (1996-01-12) 12 January 1996
Place of birth Singapore
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Lion City Sailors
Number 27
Youth career
2009–2013 National Football Academy
2013–2014 FC Metz
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2016 Young Lions 34 (4)
2017 Home United 31 (9)
2018 Albirex Niigata (S) 24 (5)
2019– Lion City Sailors 62 (7)
International career
2010 Singapore U14 1 (1)
2011 Singapore U15 3 (11)
2012 Singapore U16 6 (5)
2015–2019 Singapore U22 3 (0)
2013– Singapore 21 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18 April 2017
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 2 June 2022

Beginnings and breakthrough

Youth career

Adam won the Dollah Kassim award in 2011 which got him a overseas training stints with English Premier League side, Newcastle United Academy

In 2011, during the 23rd edition of the Lion City Cup in Singapore, Adam captained the NFA Under-15 team to 3rd place with victories over Newcastle U-15 and Juventus U-15.[2] Adam then competed at the 2011 AFF U-16 Youth Championship, with the Singapore Under-15 team where they finished 4th, winning the tournament's Fair Play Award as Adam scored 5 goals to finish as top goalscorer.[3] A year later in 2012, Adam and the Singapore Under-16 team finished in 2nd place with wins over Ajax U-15 and Vasco da Gama U-15, and a draw with Porto U-15, before losing eventual to champions Ajax U-15 in the final.[4] Adam subsequently won the Singapore Under-16 Most Valuable Player award.[5] Domestically, the Singapore Under-16 team won the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) U18 COE league with Adam winning the Most Valuable Player award.[6]

In March 2012, Adam was chosen along with Muhaimin Suhaimi and four other students at the Singapore Sports School to undergo a ten-day training camp with the youth team of J.League club, Albirex Niigata.[7] Adam was the only one called back for a longer training session in August the same year as their U-18 head coach, Nobuhiro Ueno was reportedly impressed by his control and one-touch passing, saying it was better than some of the players at the club's academy.[8]

Club career

FC Metz

On 23 February 2013, Adam signed a two-year contract with Ligue 2 club, FC Metz, joining their Under-19 set-up in the Championnat National youth competitions.[9] He had impressed the staff and coaches during his 10-day stint at Metz following his 45-day European tour which includes training spells at illustrious clubs such as Newcastle United, Chelsea and Atlético Madrid.[10] Despite offers of a one-year contract from Spanish club Atlético Madrid and Dutch club AFC Ajax, Adam chose to sign for FC Metz as he liked what he saw and experienced, and was impressed with the quality of its renowned youth academy. The FAS provided financial assistance to the tune of S$200,000 from its Football Development Fund for Adam's education in France.[11] During his time at Atletico Madrid, Adam had impressed the club CEO, Miguel Ángel Gil Marín in which he would be keen to nurture Adam and would consider signing him to the youth academy however with the mandatory National Service, Gil Marín has decided not to sign the teenager.

Young Lions

Adam Swandi was nominally included in the 24-man Courts Young Lions squad which travelled to Turkey for a series of friendly matches in January 2014.[12] Adam signed for Courts Young Lions for the 2015 S.League season.[13] Adam scored his first career professional goal in a S.League match in a 1–2 defeat to Warriors FC.[12]

Home United

Adam moved to Home United for the 2017 S.League season after leaving the Young Lions.[14] He made his debut for Home United in the first leg of the 2017 AFC Cup qualifying match against Cambodian side, Phnom Penh Crown in which he scored his first competitive goal in the second leg, helping his team advance into the group stage.[15] Coincidentally, his second goal came in Home United final game of the 2017 AFC Cup group stage, the last goal in a 4–1 routing of Myanmar club, Yadanarbon, sending his team into the Zonal semi-finals.[16] In total, Adam made 30 appearances in all competitions in his first season with the Protectors, scoring 7 goals and making 2 assists.[17]

Albirex Niigata Singapore

On 8 January 2018, Adam was announced by Albirex Niigata (S) that they have signed him for the inaugural 2018 Singapore Premier League season. He will be the first Singaporean player to play for the club and will be joined by local goalkeeper, Shahul Rayyan after he completes his National Service.[18] Adam made his debut for Albirex in a 2–1 win in the 2018 Singapore Community Shield against Tampines Rovers.[19] Adam ended his first season with the White Swans with 3 winners medal, helping his club sweep all domestic trophies on offer. He was rewarded for his effort and named as the Young Player of the Season.[20]

Home United (Now known as Lion City Sailors)

After a season with Albirex Niigata (S), Adam decided to rejoin Home United for the 2019 Singapore Premier League season due to the lure of continental football and started in all of the first 12 games of the season for the Protectors and has already equalised his tally of 3 league goals of last season.[21]

After a splendid performance for the national team against Solomon Islands, On 25 June 2023, Adam pulled on a masterclass performance against Hougang United with 2 goals and 1 assist with nearly scoring a hat-trick at the very last minute of the match.

International career

In May 2013, Adam was called up by the new Singapore coach, Bernd Stange for the friendlies against Myanmar and Laos.[22] [23]

Adam made his first international appearance aged 17 years and 143 days when he came on as a second-half substitute in place of Indra Sahdan in the friendly against Myanmar on 4 June 2013. His first start came against Laos on 11 October 2013.[24]

Adam earned his first recall into the national team in September 2015 in head coach Bernd Stange's 23-strong Singapore squad to take on Syria in their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifications but failed to make an appearance.[25] As of December 2017, he remains capped only 5 times for the senior national team.[26] He finally earned his sixth cap in a 13-minute cameo during Singapore's 1–0 win over Indonesia in the 2018 AFF Championship a year later.[21]


On 14 December 2021, Adam scored his first international goal in the 2020 AFF Championship against Timor-Leste.

Personal life

Adam was born to father Swandi Kitto and mother Hamidah Dasuki in 1996. His father was a former Singapore international striker in the 1980s.[27] He started training under former Singapore goalkeeper Yaacob Hashim at the age of 4 with boys older than him.

Adam graduated from the Singapore Sports School in 2010.[28]

Career statistics

As of 27 Sept 2023[29]
Club Season League Singapore Cup League Cup Asia Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Young Lions FC 2015 S.League 173000000173
2016 171100000181
Total 344100000354
Home United 2017 S.League 184300093307
Total 184300093307
Albirex Niigata (S) 2018 Singapore Premier League 222420000264
Total 222420000264
Home United 2019 Singapore Premier League 133000071203
Total 133000071203
Lion City Sailors 2020 Singapore Premier League 114000000114
2021 120000000120
2022 170301040250
2023 223110010244
Total 627411050728
Career total 149201211021418325

International caps

NoDateVenueOpponentResultCompetition
114 August 2013Singapore Sports Hub, Kallang, Singapore Oman0-2 (lost)2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification
215 October 2013Singapore Sports Hub, Kallang, Singapore Syria2-1 (win)2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification
328 August 2015Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar Qatar0-4 (lost)Friendly
623 March 2018Singapore Sports Hub, Kallang, Singapore Maldives3-2 (won)Friendly
716 October 2018Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia Cambodia2-1 (won)Friendly
89 November 2018Singapore Sports Hub, Kallang, Singapore Indonesia1-0 (won)2018 AFF Championship
98 June 2019Singapore Sports Hub, Kallang, Singapore Solomon Islands4-3 (won)Friendly
1011 June 2019Singapore Sports Hub, Kallang, Singapore Myanmar1-2 (lost)Friendly
115 December 2021National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore Myanmar3-0(won)2020 AFF Championship
1214 December 2021National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore Timor-Leste2-0 (won)2020 AFF Championship
1521 Sept 2022Thống Nhất Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Vietnam0-4 (lost)2022 VFF Tri-Nations Series
1624 Sept 2022Thống Nhất Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam India1-1 (draw)2022 VFF Tri-Nations Series
17 17 December 2022 Jalan Besar Stadium, Jalan Besar, Singapore  Maldives 3-1 (won) Friendly
18 16 June 2023 National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore  Papua New Guinea 2-2

(draw)

Friendly
198 Sept 2023Bishan Stadium, Singapore Tajikistan0-2 (lost)Friendly

International goals

Scores and results list Singapore's goal tally first.[30]
NoDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
114 December 2021National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore Timor-Leste1–02–02020 AFF Championship
2 16 June 2023  Papua New Guinea 1–02–2 Friendly

U16 International caps

NoDateVenueOpponentResultCompetition
110 September 2011Kim Il-sung Stadium, Pyongyang, North Korea China
1-3 (lost)
2012 AFC U-16 Championship qualification
213 September 2011Kim Il-sung Stadium, Pyongyang, North Korea North Korea
0-1 (lost)
2012 AFC U-16 Championship qualification
315 September 2011Kim Il-sung Stadium, Pyongyang, North Korea Malaysia
1-1 (draw)
2012 AFC U-16 Championship qualification
418 September 2011Kim Il-sung Stadium, Pyongyang, North Korea Timor-Leste
8-1 (won)
2012 AFC U-16 Championship qualification

U16 International goals

Scores and results list Singapore's goal tally first.[31]
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.10 September 2011Kim Il-sung Stadium, Pyongyang, North Korea China
1–3
1-3 (lost)
2012 AFC U-16 Championship qualification
2.18 September 2011Kim Il-sung Stadium, Pyongyang, North Korea Timor-Leste
2–1
8-1 (won)
2012 AFC U-16 Championship qualification
3.18 September 2011Kim Il-sung Stadium, Pyongyang, North Korea Timor-Leste
3–1
8-1 (won)
2012 AFC U-16 Championship qualification
4.18 September 2011Kim Il-sung Stadium, Pyongyang, North Korea Timor-Leste
7–1
8-1 (won)
2012 AFC U-16 Championship qualification

Honours

Club

Albirex Niigata (S)

Lion City Sailors

Individual

References

  1. "U23 Young Lions". Football Association of Singapore. Archived from the original on 27 February 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  2. "Singapore U-15s took revenge as they clinch the 3rd place in the 23rd Canon Lion City Cup". Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  3. "Singapore NFA U15 attains 4th place in AFF U16 Championships". Football Association of Singapore. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  4. "Ajax crowned Champions in style". Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  5. "Nazri and Swandi to be sent to Ajax Academy". Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  6. "FAS Centre of Excellence U14/U16/U18 League 2012". Football OPOD. Archived from the original on 7 June 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  7. "Six of Sports School's best earn Niigata stint". S.League. Archived from the original on 12 October 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  8. "Albirex want another look at Adam". The New Paper. 28 August 2012. Archived from the original on 12 October 2013.
  9. "Adam Swandi signs for FC Metz". Goal. Archived from the original on 6 June 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  10. "Adam Swandi secures two-year contract with FC Metz". aXrossTheLine. Archived from the original on 12 October 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  11. "More to follow in Adam's footsteps". The New Paper. 24 February 2013. Archived from the original on 18 March 2014.
  12. "Courts Young Lion's training camp in Turkey". S.League. Archived from the original on 20 February 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  13. "Aide: We Will Not Give Up Search For Win Steinebrunner Slams Team In Rare Outburst". S.League. Archived from the original on 9 November 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  14. "Home snap up former Metz trainee Adam Swandi". FourFourTwo. 28 December 2016. Archived from the original on 19 April 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  15. "Adam shines for Home United in AFC Cup qualifying play-off". The New Paper. 8 February 2017. Archived from the original on 19 April 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  16. "Home United into AFC knockout stages after beating eight-man Yadanarbon". ESPNFC.com. Archived from the original on 18 April 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  17. "Adam Swandi attracts interest from Albirex". The New Paper. 20 December 2017. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  18. hermesauto (8 January 2018). "Football: Adam Swandi, Shahul Rayyan first Singaporeans to sign with 2-time S-League champions Albirex Niigata". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 1 April 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  19. "Football Association of Singapore". www.fas.org.sg. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  20. "FAS Nite 2018 recognises season's best - Football Association of Singapore". Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  21. "Adam Swandi hungry for next breakthrough - Football Association of Singapore". spl.sg. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  22. "Starlet Adam Swandi named in latest Singapore squad". Goal. Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  23. "Adam earns call-up to Lions squad". Today.
  24. "Wasteful Lions edge Laos in slender victory". Goal. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  25. "Amri set for a century of Singapore caps". FourFourTwo. 24 August 2015. Archived from the original on 19 April 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  26. "Adam Swandi must buckle down". The New Paper. 7 December 2016. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  27. "Everybody loves Adam". The New Paper. 28 November 2011. Archived from the original on 18 March 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  28. "Elite Student-Athletes". Singapore Sports School. Archived from the original on 11 March 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
  29. Adam Swandi at Soccerway. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  30. "Hamzah, Shakir". National Football Teams. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  31. "Mahler, Jacob". National Football Teams. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
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