Ryhan Stewart’s European debacle is Albirex Niigata’s gain
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Ryhan Stewart in training with Albirex Niigata on Sept 26 at the Jurong East Stadium.
ST PHOTO: LUTHER LAU
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SINGAPORE – To go far as a footballer, Ryhan Stewart knows he has to get out of his comfort zone.
So, despite interest from clubs in Thailand and Indonesia after his contract with Thai outfit BG Pathum United ended several months ago, the national player targeted Europe as his next port of call.
While in London to visit family and friends in June, the 24-year-old, who can play as a right-back or midfielder, also contacted clubs for trials in the hope of earning a contract.
His three-month search turned out to be fruitless – with Stewart returning home to join Singapore Premier League (SPL) club Albirex Niigata in September – but that has not doused his fire.
“I think every player wants to always look to improve and I think it is important that I tried to get out of my comfort zone,” said Stewart, who made his debut for Albirex in a 4-1 SPL win over Tanjong Pagar United on Sept 20.
“Leagues in Europe are at a much higher level and I really wanted to push myself to get something there.”
From June to September, he went on trials in Ireland (Premier Division side Sligo Rovers), Spain (third- and fourth-tier clubs) and Austria (second-division team SKN St Polten).
Stewart recalled: “Even during the trials and training, the level was so high. During the warmup drills, if there is a part where players need to sprint against each other, nobody is taking it easy.
“Everything is a battle. And you can only improve when you are in such an environment daily.”
Complications over a work permit eventually scuppered his move to join Polten, he said.
The club then offered him a reserve-team contract that would see him study at a university there and play on a student visa. But he turned it down as he felt “it wasn’t the right thing to do”.
While his accommodation was mostly provided by clubs, he spent at least $3,000 on flights and other expenses during that period.
With the European season having already started, he then decided to take up Albirex’s contract offer.
The defending SPL champions were able to sign the free agent outside of a transfer window, as SPL rules stipulate that a club can register a player to replace one who has enlisted for national service.
Stewart, who has inked a contract till the 2025-26 season, said: “I don’t look back at my choice to try with regret and I definitely want to try again in the future.
“The door is not closed and hopefully I can use what I have learnt from this experience to make it work next time.”
Stewart’s loss is Albirex’s gain.
Albirex coach Keiji Shigetomi, whose side are seventh in the nine-team league, is pleased that they have “revitalised” their right flank with Stewart’s acquisition.
Looking ahead to their Sept 28 clash with Balestier Khalsa at the Bishan Stadium, Shigetomi is determined to lead his side to their first away win this season, having lost six games and drawn one on the road.
While Albirex trounced Balestier 7-2 at the Jurong East Stadium in July for their biggest win of the season, Shigetomi said the Tigers are “far from easy”, adding: “We haven’t secured an away win this season, so we will fight with great spirit for those three points.”
Balestier coach Peter de Roo believes it will be an interesting game as both teams are “in the top four in terms of dominating possession” this season. “So it is going to be all about being more effective and creating more goal-scoring opportunities,” he added.
In a Sept 27 SPL match at the Jalan Besar Stadium, Hougang United came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Brunei DPMM, thanks to Dejan Racic’s injury-time leveller. DPMM remain fifth, a spot and two points above Hougang.
Tanjong Pagar United v Geylang International (Sept 28, 6pm, Jurong East Stadium)
Geylang International striker and current SPL top scorer Tomoyuki Doi, who has a whopping 25 goals in 15 games, will be licking his lips at the prospect of facing a hapless Tanjong Pagar side. They have conceded a league-high 50 goals in 15 games, including 10 goals in their last two matches.
BG Tampines Rovers v Lion City Sailors (Sept 29, 6pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)
The SPL leaders will be eyeing revenge after a 5-0 thrashing by BG Tampines Rovers in July, but fatigue will be a factor as they come into this game just three days after losing 5-0 to Cong An Ha Noi in a Shopee Cup game in Vietnam.
