Ryhan Stewart rubs shoulders with former EPL stars in new Thai League journey

SINGAPORE – In the last decade, Singapore defender Ryhan Stewart – like fans all around the world – watched in awe at some of winger Andros Townsend’s stunning goals in the English Premier League.

It includes a sublime 30-metre volley against Manchester City in the 2018-19 season that clinched a 3-2 win for Crystal Palace.

In the 2025-26 Thai League 1 season, which kicked off on Aug 15, Stewart will get a close-up view of the Englishman’s prowess down the flank, with the pair now teammates at newly promoted Kanchanaburi Power.

Fullback Stewart could be paired on the right flank with Townsend, who has spent much of his career operating on the wing.

Stewart is one of eight players flying the Singapore flag across the 16 top-flight clubs in Thailand.

This is the highest number of Singaporeans plying their trade in Thai League 1, which does not have a limit on the number of Asean players that each club can register.

The other seven are the Fandi brothers – Irfan (Port FC), Ikhsan (Ratchaburi) and Ilhan (Buriram) – Jordan Emaviwe (BG Pathum United), M. Anumanthan (Kanchanaburi), Bill Mamadou (Nakhon Ratchasima) and Kyoga Nakamura (Bangkok United). Last season, there were six.

Recent Singapore Premier League alumni have also made the move to Thailand, with SPL Golden Boot winner Tomoyuki Doi (Pathum), and former BG Tampines Rovers duo Seia Kunori (Bangkok United) and Itsuki Enomoto (Chiangrai United) being prised away.

Stewart, who joined Kanchanaburi in June after leaving Lithuanian top-flight side FK Riteriai, has already been enthralled by Townsend in training since the 34-year-old ex-Tottenham Hotspur, Palace and Everton winger joined the club at the start of August.

Mauritania forward Aboubakar Kamara, 30, who played 24 matches for Fulham in the EPL, is also a new signing at the club.

“The sharpness and the speed of play he (Townsend) has is obvious,” said Stewart, 25, who had previously played for two other Thai clubs, Pathum and Chiangmai FC.

“He’s used to a higher speed in the EPL and his sharpness is a bit different. Both (Kamara and Townsend) have played at the highest level, and they show their quality in training.

“The way they talk and communicate with the players, like how they give specific instructions on the pitch, helps me as well.”

Stewart added that working with this calibre of players showed he made the right decision to return to South-east Asia.

“There were some questions and criticisms of why I came back to Asia. But deep down, I knew this was the right choice. When I talked to the club, I saw their ambition,” said Stewart, adding that they are eyeing a top-three finish.

“Working with these players day in and out is going to help me improve too.”

The first day of action saw Stewart go head-to-head with compatriot and close friend Ikhsan, who has joined Ratchaburi on loan from Pathum. The teams drew 1-1.

Ikhsan, whose team will also feature in the AFC Champions League 2, is aiming to hit the ground running as he seeks to establish himself again in Thai football.

He had limited game time with Pathum in the 2024-25 season due to issues with his right knee and quadriceps. He had only eight starts and 13 substitute appearances across four competitions, scoring three goals.

Ikhsan said: “I just want to try to score as many as I can, push myself into the starting XI and contribute to the team.

“Game time is crucial for me, especially in a year when the national team has important matches.”

The 26-year-old, who first moved to Thailand in December 2021 when he joined Pathum from Norwegian side FK Jerv, is excited to see more of his countrymen there.

“It’s great to see more Singaporeans in the league,” he said. “It shows the level here is attractive and that our players can compete. It also shows that the SPL is doing something positive.

“I keep in touch with the boys here, and whenever our schedules line up, we hang out and grab a bite. The closest one to me right now is Ryhan, so we meet up whenever we can. Recently I went to his town for a barbecue.”

Meanwhile at Pathum, Emaviwe, who was typically deployed as a defender with the Lions or Singapore Premier League club Balestier Khalsa, will look to nail down a spot as a striker.

The 1.95m player, who joined Chiangrai in January 2025, was thrust into the forward’s role there. He finished the season with five goals in 13 league matches and earned a move to Pathum.

Emaviwe said Pathum, who are also involved in the Asean Club Championship and ACL 2, also plan to field him up front.

“We’re playing in a lot of competitions, and as a team, the objective is to win a trophy this season,” said Emaviwe, who feels that his strength and speed could help him flourish as a goal poacher.

“In terms of personal goals, I’m going to be a striker and I want to score at least 10 goals.

“I’ll have a full season playing as a striker, so I am going to get a full flow of playing up top. I’m looking forward to that.”

If his target of scoring goals aplenty bears fruit, it will also have to come against some of his compatriots.

“It’s a competitive league and I’m excited that we are all going to be testing ourselves at this level,” he added.