No regrets for Lions midfielder Harhys Stewart, who rejoins Thai football after ending Kosovo stint

SINGAPORE – Since he was a teenager at the Singapore Sports School, Harhys Stewart has always harboured a dream of playing professional football in Europe.

Following a breakout season in Thailand with Chiangrai United, the Singaporean midfielder seemed to have ticked one item off the bucket list in June, when he signed a two-year deal with Football Superleague of Kosovo club Ferizaj.

But two months into his Kosovan sojourn, the wheels have come off and Stewart has called it quits. The 24-year-old agreed to a mutual termination of his contract and has joined Thai League 1 side Uthai Thani.

Stewart, who made his debut for his new club in a 4-1 loss to Ayutthaya United on Aug 29, told The Straits Times that a mix of on- and off-field issues contributed to him ending the stint abruptly, even before he had played a competitive match for the Kosovan side.

“I was really excited about a new challenge but in a few weeks there, I realised the set-up wasn’t so professional,” he said. “It wasn’t a good place to develop and it was not a good working environment.

“I told myself to give it a chance, put my head down and work hard in pre-season but when the season started, it was evident that things were not going to change.”

When pressed for details, Stewart said that there were financial problems – claiming that his first month’s salary was late and paid only in half – and a “lack of professionalism” which included poor training methods.

He said that during the two-sided game in training, they would often play with a small goal on one side, with a full-size one on the other, because they did not want to move another full-size goal onto the pitch.

“The two teams were picked by designated captains, almost like a game among friends, with no tactical instruction or structure and players would be playing out of position. It was difficult to adapt without clear coaching or organisation,” he added.

The sessions followed the same pattern even during a pre-season camp in North Macedonia and as the season drew closer.

Stewart, who said he had done his research, added: “I thought being in Europe would mean the coaching would be good but instead there was no coaching, feedback, no analysis or meetings where we spoke about how we can improve or what we’re doing well in. Players also told me that this is how it is there.”

The salary issue proved to be the last straw and Stewart then finalised a mutual termination and left Kosovo on Aug 22.

His older brother Ryhan had faced a similar situation in Lithuania, where the financial troubles at FK Riteriai prompted his move to Thai League 1 side Kanchanaburi Power in June.

Enduring identical obstacles that cut short their European stints have not dampened the siblings’ ambitions of making it in Europe or the top leagues in Asia.

Harhys said: “It’s unfortunate but we both wanted to go to Europe for the betterment of ourselves as players, and we want to get better, to help Singapore football.

“Sometimes things don’t work out, but I think it’s still a good experience. We don’t regret anything and we always want to try and play at the highest level we can.”

In rejoining Thai football, Harhys returns to a league where he flourished recently. With Thai League 1 side Chiangrai, he played 43 games and contributed six goals and five assists as the team finished 11th out of 16 teams in the 2024-25 season.

Harhys said: “It’s like the best league in South-east Asia. I just want to help the team to do well, get as much playing time and have a good season. I had a strong second half of the season last year. So I want to build on that.”

With his club future sorted, Harhys will now look to make his mark for the Lions in upcoming international friendlies as they build up for crucial back-to-back Asian Cup qualifiers against India in October.

Singapore, led by interim coach Gavin Lee, will face Malaysia on Sept 4 at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium before hosting Myanmar in a closed-door match five days later.

The Stewart brothers are among seven overseas-based players in the 26-man squad where there are recalls for uncapped Albirex Niigata midfielder Jared Gallagher, Geylang International fullback Nazrul Nazari, Hougang United centre-back Ryaan Sanizal and BG Tampines Rovers midfielder Joel Chew.

Lion City Sailors forward Shawal Anuar returns after missing the June window, while captain Hariss Harun misses out with an injury.

Stewart, who has eight caps, said: “These will be two difficult games. Everyone is super hyped up and prepared for the games. We had a strong performance and good result against Bangladesh in our last match and we need to continue on that path and bring it into the next games.”

Singapore national team squad

Goalkeepers: Izwan Mahbud (Sailors), Rudy Khairullah (Geylang), Syazwan Buhari (Tampines)

Defenders: Akram Azman, Lionel Tan, Safuwan Baharudin (Sailors), Amirul Adli, Irfan Najeeb (Tampines), Nazrul Nazari (Geylang), Jordan Emaviwe (BG Pathum United), Ryaan Sanizal (Hougang), Ryhan Stewart (Kanchanaburi), Irfan Fandi (Port FC)

Midfielders: Joel Chew, Shah Shahiran, Glenn Kweh (Tampines), Kyoga Nakamura (Bangkok United), Farhan Zulkifli (Hougang), Jared Gallagher (Albirex), Hami Syahin, Song Ui-young (Sailors), Harhys Stewart (Uthai Thani)

Forwards: Abdul Rasaq, Shawal Anuar (Sailors), Ikhsan Fandi (Ratchaburi), Ilhan Fandi (Buriram United)