SINGAPORE – Harry Birtwistle is the latest Singaporean footballer to sign a professional contract with an English Premier League club after Ben Davis did with Fulham in 2018, according to a report by The Monitor.
“I’m so honoured to be standing here today as a Singaporean-born professional footballer at a Premier League Club,” said the 17-year-old, who turns 18 in December.
“Hopefully, this can inspire others after me who don’t believe they can do it,” added the young lad, who signed a professional contract yesterday with Wolverhampton Wanderers that will run until 2024.
Harry will earn the right to be referred to as the first Singaporean-born to play for an English Premier Club if he ends up being called upon by Bruno Lage to take to the field in any of the club’s upcoming fixtures.
The young footballer, who was spotted by Wolves Academy staff when he was only eight during an international training camp in Singapore, moved to Wolverhampton in 2017 when he was 13 to attend boarding school, and to achieve his dream of playing in the English Premier League.
“Firstly, I would like to say thank you to everyone, who has been a part of my journey, whether that was in Singapore, Portugal or in England.
“Everyone who’s been a part of my life has moulded and impacted me, and helped get me to the point I am at today.
“The last four years I have been at Wolves has been life-changing.
“Yes, there have been challenging times, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
“It was the hardest decision, but the best decision I had ever made, leaving home at 13 years old and moving across the world to Wolverhampton by myself.
“Becoming a professional footballer was always my dream and it was what got me through some tough moments. The goal and drive to achieve my dreams have always been there, and is something that will never change.”
In an interview with The Athletic, Harry said that following his football dream was “the best decision I ever made.”
“Coming here, having to man up, live on my own at the age of 13, moving away from your family is tough, but it’s worth it.
“I want to be a professional footballer, and it’s a dream come true.”
Wolves technical director, Scott Sellars, said that the youngster had shown a lot of commitment since arriving from Singapore.
“But it shows the type of character Harry is, not only as a footballer, but as a person.
“There are not many children who would do something like he did at that age, but his desire to be a footballer is of great credit to him.” – Agencies, October 28, 2021
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