Welsh midfielder Kai Whitmore to play in Singapore after signing with Young Lions

SINGAPORE – Midfielder Kai Whitmore, who was born in Wales, has taken a major step in his bid to don Singapore national colours by moving here to play in the Singapore Premier League (SPL).

On April 14, the Young Lions announced the signing of 25-year-old Whitmore. The club added that as the transfer took place outside the SPL’s registration window, he will not be eligible to feature for the remainder of this season.

“He will, however, train with the squad in the coming months as he settles into the environment and builds towards the next campaign,” added the developmental club, who are managed by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS).

On Feb 4, The Straits Times reported that Whitmore was in talks with the FAS to sign a contract with the Young Lions.

It came after Whitmore’s earlier interview with ST when he outlined his desire to become a Singaporean and represent the Lions in international football.

Whitmore said that he is excited to start a new chapter here with the Young Lions.

The central midfielder, who will be playing abroad for the first time in his career when the 2026-27 SPL campaign starts in the latter half of 2026, added: “The climate is completely different from what I’m used to, so the next couple of months will be important for me to adjust and prepare ahead of the 2026-27 season.

“My focus right now is to settle in, work hard in training and build strong connections with the team.”

The former Newport County midfielder left the League Two strugglers in February after his contract was terminated by mutual consent.

In his 16 appearances for the fourth-tier club this season, Whitmore scored thrice and notched five assists. Newport are 22nd in the 24-team table.

He first travelled here in May 2025 to meet with FAS officials and find out more about the process of playing for the Lions.

In an interview with ST in June 2025, Whitmore – who holds a British passport – expressed his desire to play for Singapore through heritage links.

According to Whitmore, his maternal grandfather Gary Evans, 65, was born in Singapore in 1961 at the Changi Hospital. His great-grandfather was in the Royal Air Force and lived at Opera Estate near Siglap Road with his wife and son.

When asked about being naturalised to play for Singapore, Whitmore said: “It’s definitely something I’d be open to, but at the moment my focus is on my football and starting this journey with Young Lions.”

In response to queries, the FAS said: “Growing Singapore’s pipeline of local talent remains our key thrust to the long-term strategy to uplift Singapore football. FAS will also tap on foreign sport talent to support Singapore’s football objectives.

“FAS will support foreign players who have both the talent and the heart to represent Singapore.”

Noting that Whitmore will need “time and space to settle into a new climate, league and club”, the national sports association added that the midfielder’s experience in professional football in England will make him a “strong addition to the Young Lions”.

“Beyond his on-field contributions, Kai brings valuable experience and professionalism that our younger players can learn from. We are optimistic about his new chapter in his career and look forward to his positive contributions to the Young Lions,” the FAS said.

Whitmore first made contact with the FAS after another Lions hopeful Perry Ng had encouraged him to travel here to find out more about the process to become a Singapore citizen and play for the Lions.

Ng, 29, who plays for League One side Cardiff City, attained his permanent residency in March 2025 and is pursuing Singapore citizenship.

If he is successful, Ng will become the first footballer to play for the national team via the heritage route. His grandfather was born in Singapore but moved to Liverpool in the 1970s to pursue his academic studies.

World football governing body FIFA’s rules stipulate that individuals must have “a genuine link” with national teams they intend to play for. The basic criteria are: place of birth, naturalisation by residence or place of one grandparent’s birth.

However, Singapore’s citizenship rules state that qualifying for a passport by descent is applicable only to individuals with at least one parent who is born in Singapore or is a citizen by registration.

But special dispensation could be made for Ng to represent the Lions through the Foreign Sports Talent scheme.

It is not known if Whitmore will apply through the scheme, or look to fulfil a five-year residency, which will then make him eligible to represent the Lions.

Japan-born midfielder Kyoga Nakamura and South Korea-born midfielder Song Ui-young attained Singapore citizenship after being based here for at least five years. They are now key players for the Lions, who are preparing for the 2027 Asian Cup.