Sarpreet Singh

Sarpreet Singh (born 20 February 1999) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for 2. Bundesliga club Hansa Rostock and the New Zealand national team.

Sarpreet Singh
Singh training with Bayern Munich in 2019
Personal information
Full name Sarpreet Singh[1]
Date of birth (1999-02-20) 20 February 1999[1]
Place of birth Auckland, New Zealand
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[1]
Position(s) Attacking midfielder / Winger
Team information
Current team
 Hansa Rostock
Number 28
Youth career
2004-2008 Papatoetoe
2008–2015 Onehunga Sports
2015–2017 Wellington Phoenix
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2018 Wellington Phoenix Reserves 34 (8)
2015–2019 Wellington Phoenix 39 (9)
2019–2022 Bayern Munich II 38 (10)
2019–2023 Bayern Munich 2 (0)
2020–2021 → 1. FC Nürnberg (loan) 11 (0)
2021–2022 → Jahn Regensburg (loan) 25 (6)
2022–2023 → Jahn Regensburg (loan) 14 (1)
2023– Hansa Rostock 3 (0)
International career‡
2015 New Zealand U17 9 (0)
2016–2019 New Zealand U20 12 (1)
2018– New Zealand 9 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 05:35, 1 October 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21 September 2022

Born in New Zealand to Indian parents, Singh played for Onehunga Sports in his youth before signing for Wellington Phoenix Academy in 2015, then making his competitive senior debut for the Wellington Phoenix in 2016. He spent another three seasons with the club becoming a regular starter and earned his first international call up for New Zealand in 2018 to play at the Intercontinental Cup, where he scored his first international goal.

After impressive performances with the New Zealand national under-20 football team at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup, Singh signed a three-year deal with Bayern Munich. Singh's first appearance for the senior team was in a friendly against Arsenal at the 2019 International Champions Cup.

Club career

Early career

Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Singh grew up playing for local club Onehunga Sports under the tutelage of long-term mentor Hiroshi Miyazawa.[2][3][4] At the age of ten, Singh represented Auckland at the Australian National Futsal Championships, winning the most valuable player award and attracting interest from Premier League side Everton.[3]

Wellington Phoenix

Singh joined the Wellington Phoenix Academy in early 2015 after impressing then-Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick, while playing for the New Zealand under-17 side at the OFC U-17 Championship.[5] He was one of two players to receive a footballing scholarship to Scots College from New Zealand international Winston Reid.[6][5]

Singh began his senior footballing career later that year, being placed into Wellington's reserve team in the New Zealand Football Championship at the age of 16. Singh made twelve appearances that season, with his season being marked by a call-up to the senior Wellington Phoenix squad for an A-League match against Perth Glory on 7 February 2016, where he remained an unused substitute. A year later, following much individual success for the reserves, Singh made his competitive debut in the A-League as a substitute in a 1–5 loss to Melbourne City on 18 February 2017.[7] On 1 June 2017, Singh signed his first senior contract, penning a three-year deal with Wellington Phoenix.[8]

Singh gained a consistent role in the Wellington Phoenix first team midway through the 2017–18 A-League season, making a series of substitute appearances under Darije Kalezić. Following a minor injury to Goran Paracki, Singh was named in the starting lineup for the first time on 17 February 2018 against Perth Glory.[9] He marked his starting debut for the club with a long-range goal within three minutes in a 2–1 victory.[10] Following this performance, Singh was promised a prolonged run in the starting eleven by Kalezić, and became a regular starter for the club; after two goals on the final matchday against Melbourne City, Singh finished the season as the second-highest goalscorer at the club behind Andrija Kaluđerović, despite only playing eleven games.[9][11]

Singh carried his form into the 2018–19 season, becoming an undisputed starter under new coach Mark Rudan playing 26 games, scoring five goals and registering a team-high eight assists.[12] Following a breakout performance in a 4–1 win over Brisbane Roar on 22 December 2018, in which Singh scored from a free kick and assisted a David Williams goal, he was described by critic Mark Bosnich as "the best player in the A-League right now at this moment in time".[13][14]

Bayern Munich

After impressing Bayern scouts while playing for New Zealand at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup,[12] it was announced on 1 July 2019 Singh had signed a three-year deal with Bayern Munich for an undisclosed fee, believed to be between the figures of NZD $750,000 and $1,000,000.[15] He was immediately assigned to their reserve team, Bayern Munich II, who play in the 3. Liga.[16]

Singh made his friendly debut for the reserve side on 6 July 2019, assisting the opening goal as Bayern Munich II overcame FC Liefering 2–1.[17] Singh made an appearance for the senior team eleven days later, playing the second half in a 2–1 friendly defeat to Arsenal in the 2019 International Champions Cup, and again in the other two tournament games against Real Madrid and AC Milan.[18][19] Singh started his first game for Bayern Munich on 31 July, playing the full match and scoring in a penalty shoot-out loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the 2019 Audi Cup final.[20] Singh's performance in the pre-season impressed Bayern Munich's coach Niko Kovač; on 3 August, he was called up for a 2–0 loss against Borussia Dortmund in the DFL Supercup, but was an unused substitute.[21][22]

Singh scored his first goal for Bayern Munich II against Unterhaching in a 1–2 loss.[12]

After impressing in the reserves with five goals and four assists, Singh was promoted to train with the first team until the end of the winter break by interim coach Hansi Flick.[23] He subsequently made his Bundesliga debut for the senior team on 14 December 2019, coming on as a substitute for Philippe Coutinho in a 6–1 win over Werder Bremen. Singh became the first New Zealander to play in the Bundesliga since Oceania Footballer of the Century Wynton Rufer, who previously played for Werder Bremen.[24]

Singh made his first start for Bayern Munich on 20 June 2020 against SC Freiburg after the club had secured the Bundesliga title.[25]

In early June 2022, it was reported that Singh was close to signing a deal with newly promoted Bundesliga side Werder Bremen for a transfer fee of around €400,000.[26] However, on 12 June, Werder Bremen opted against completion of this transfer, citing a significant case of osteitis pubis suffered in March.[27][28]

1. FC Nürnberg (loan)

On 7 August 2020, Singh joined 2. Bundesliga side 1. FC Nürnberg on a season-long loan.[29] Singh had his first start for the club, playing 63 minutes for the team in their 0–3 loss to RB Leipzig in the DFB-Pokal.[30] He made his first league start for the club against Jahn Regensburg on 19 September 2020.[30] After playing a dozen games for Nürnberg of which he started six times, Singh cut his loan short and returned to Bayern Munich.[31][32]

Jahn Regensburg (loan)

On 6 July 2021, Singh joined 2. Bundesliga side SSV Jahn Regensburg on a season-long loan.[33]

After his transfer to Werder Bremen fell through, on 27 July 2022 Singh extended his contract with Bayern for an additional year and joined Regensburg on another season-long loan.[34] However, as the club did not report the transfer to the DFL before the transfer window closed, Singh was unable to play for Regensburg until the winter transfer window opened on 1 January 2023.[35]

Hansa Rostock

Singh left Bayern Munich after four years and joined 2. Bundesliga club Hansa Rostock on 5 July 2023, permanently for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year contract.[36]

International career

Singh's first international appearances for New Zealand came at under-17 level, being named to the 20-man squad for the 2015 OFC U-17 Championship.[37]

Singh competed for New Zealand at the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, being knocked out by the United States in the round of 16.[38] Singh also appeared for New Zealand in the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup, being knocked out by Colombia in the round of 16 via penalty shootout following a 1–1 draw after extra time.[39]

Singh earned his first senior national team call-up for a friendly match against Canada on 24 March in Murcia.[40] He was substituted on in the second half of a 1–0 loss. Sarpreet scored his first goal for New Zealand on 2 June 2018, against Kenya in the 2018 Intercontinental Cup. In the same tournament, he provided both assists as his team defeated India 2–1.

Style of play

Solely appearing as an attacking midfielder for the Wellington Phoenix but often deployed as a deep-lying playmaker or winger for Bayern Munich II, the left-footed Singh acted as primary playmaker for the Phoenix under Mark Rudan during the 2018–19 A-League season. With a nimble gait and quick turn of pace, alongside exceptional vision and creativity for his age, Singh has earned comparisons to German attacking midfielder Mesut Özil.[41][42][43]

Personal life

Singh was born in Auckland and is of Indian descent.[44] While at Bayern, Singh has been taking German lessons twice a week.[12]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played on 6 May 2023[45]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCup OtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Wellington Phoenix Reserves 2015–16 New Zealand Championship 121——121
2016–17 New Zealand Championship 143——143
2017–18 New Zealand Championship 74——74
2018–19 New Zealand Championship 10——10
Total 348——348
Wellington Phoenix 2015–16 A-League 0000—00
2016–17 A-League 2000—20
2017–18 A-League 11410—124
2018–19 A-League 26510—275
Total 39920—419
Bayern Munich II 2019–20 3. Liga 227——227
2020–21 3. Liga 163——163
Total 3810——3810
Bayern Munich 2019–20 Bundesliga 20600080
2020–21 Bundesliga 00000000
Total 20600080
1. FC Nürnberg (loan) 2020–21 2. Bundesliga 11010—120
Jahn Regensburg (loan) 2021–22 2. Bundesliga 25521—276
2022–23 2. Bundesliga 14100—141
Total 39621—417
Career total 163331110017434

International goals
Scores and results list New Zealand's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Singh goal.[46]
List of international goals scored by Sarpreet Singh
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
12 June 2018Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai, India Kenya1–01–22018 Intercontinental Cup

Honours

Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich II

New Zealand U17

New Zealand U20

References
  1. "FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019: List of Players: New Zealand" (PDF). FIFA. 13 June 2019. p. 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 February 2020.
  2. "Sarpreet Singh". Wellington Phoenix. Archived from the original on 7 August 2019. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  3. "Auckland's little golden boot". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  4. "Bayern Munich sign New Zealand youngster Sarpreet Singh". bundesliga.com - the official Bundesliga website.
  5. "Singh follows mentor Reid on the path to success". FIFA. Archived from the original on 5 November 2020.
  6. Forbes, Michael (26 August 2015). "Winston Reid opens his wallet to help the next generation of Kiwi footballers". Stuff.
  7. "Brockie and Boxall Progress in Cup". New Zealand Football. 20 February 2017.
  8. "Wellington Phoenix sign three young prospects with new coach's blessing". Stuff. 1 June 2017.
  9. "Sarpreet Singh set for prolonged starting run after glittering debut". Stuff. 17 February 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  10. "Recap: Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory - A-League round 20". Stuff. 17 February 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  11. "Sarpreet Singh to the double as Wellington Phoenix end season on winning note". Stuff. 14 April 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  12. Rollo, Phillip (19 October 2019). "From Auckland to Bayern Munich: Sarpreet Singh living football dream". Stuff.
  13. "A-League news: Sarpreet Singh, Wellington Phoenix, Mark Rudan, Mark Bosnich". 24 December 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  14. "A Wellington Phoenix star is born: Sarpreet Singh comes of age against Brisbane Roar". Stuff. 22 December 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  15. Burgess, Michael (29 June 2019). "Football: The million dollar man? Sarpreet Singh's move to Bayern Munich attracts record fee for Wellington Phoenix player". The New Zealand Herald.
  16. Rollo, Phillip (1 July 2019). "Done deal: Bayern Munich sign promising Kiwi footballer Sarpreet Singh". Stuff.
  17. "Homepage". The World Game.
  18. "Sarpreet Singh makes Bayern Munich debut in friendly loss to Arsenal". stuff. 19 July 2019.
  19. "Singh in action as Goretzka scores Bayern winner in Giampaolo's Milan bow". The World Game.
  20. Rollo, Phillip (1 August 2019). "Bayern Munich coach Niko Kovac's trust in Sarpreet Singh pays off". Stuff.
  21. Rollo, Phillip (2 August 2019). "Bayern Munich coach Niko Kovac full of praise for Sarpreet Singh". Stuff.
  22. "Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayern Munchen 2 - 0". Soccerway. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  23. "Four youngsters train with first team". FC Bayern Munich. 22 November 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  24. Voerman, Andrew (15 December 2019). "Sarpreet Singh makes Bundesliga debut for Bayern Munich against Werder Bremen". Stuff. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  25. @FCBayernEN (20 June 2020). "Opportunity knocks" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  26. "'A long way to go': Sarpreet Singh 'a long shot' for All Whites' World Cup playoff squad". 14 May 2022.
  27. "'A long way to go': Sarpreet Singh 'a long shot' for All Whites' World Cup playoff squad". 14 May 2022.
  28. "Werder entscheidet sich gegen Singh-Verpflichtung".
  29. "Hecking macht Singh klar". fcn.de (in German). 1. FC Nürnberg. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  30. "Sarpreet Singh steps out of Bayern Munich shadow in search of consistent game time". Stuff. 18 September 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  31. Adams, Tom (29 January 2021). "Sarpreet Singh will return to Bayern Munich after loan with FC Nürnberg is terminated". Bavarian Football Works. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  32. "Sarpreet Singh returns to FC Bayern". FC Bayern Munich (in German). 29 January 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  33. Rollo, Phillip (6 July 2021). "Sarpreet Singh joins Jahn Regensburg on loan from Bayern Munich". Stuff. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  34. "Sarpreet Singh kehrt zum SSV Jahn zurück" (in German). SSV Jahn Regensburg. 27 July 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  35. "Transferpanne: Bayern-Leihgabe Singh darf nicht für Regensburg spielen".
  36. "Vom FC Bayern an die Ostsee: Sarpreet Singh Neuzugang Nummer 8". FC Hansa Rostock (in German). 5 July 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  37. "Football: Men's U-17 squad named". voxy.co.nz. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  38. "USA U-20s dominate New Zealand to reach WC quarterfinals again". June 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  39. "As it happened: New Zealand v Colombia, FIFA Under 20 World Cup round of 16". 2 June 2019. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  40. "All Whites fall to Canada as Fritz Schmid era begins on losing note". Stuff. 24 March 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  41. Sousa, Justin (3 July 2019). "What can Bayern Munich expect from Sarpreet Singh?". bavarianfootballworks.com. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  42. "Sarpreet Singh: Who is the Bayern Munich newcomer and New Zealand rising star?". bundesliga.com. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  43. "Sarpreet Singh stars for Bayern Munich reserves, sets up teammate to score". 1 NEWS. 25 August 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  44. Singh, Sandeep (8 June 2018). "Kiwi-Indian Footballer Sarpreet Singh Shines In All Whites India Tour So Far". Indian Weekender. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  45. "S. Singh". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  46. "Singh, Sarpreet". National Football Teams. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  47. "Sarpreet Singh, Bayern Munich celebrate with Bundesliga trophy as German season ends". Newshub. 28 June 2020.
  48. "Football: Men's U-17 squad named". voxy.co.nz. 24 December 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
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