Welsh midfielder Kai Whitmore wants to play for Singapore; exploring citizenship process

Straits Times

a day ago

Kai Whitmore (middle), in action for Newport County. Whitmore, is hoping to represent the Singapore football team. PHOTO: COURTESY OF KAI WHITMORE
SINGAPORE – History beckons for Cardiff City's Perry Ng, with the Liverpool-born footballer to become the first to don national colours via the heritage route if he gets his Singapore passport.
His journey has already piqued the interest of others back home in Britain.
Inspired by Ng, Welsh midfielder Kai Whitmore – who plays for EFL League Two side Newport County – has expressed interest in playing for Singapore at the international level.
The 24-year-old, whose maternal grandfather was born in Singapore, was here in May to meet with officials from the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) and find out more about the process of playing for the Lions.
Whitmore, a box-to-box midfielder, made 31 appearances for Newport in the past season, including in an FA Cup first round loss to Peterborough United where he scored.
He said in an interview with The Straits Times: 'Over the years,my grandfather has always talked about Singapore, his love for the country and his early years here. I was always interested to come and see where he used to live and I felt this off-season was the perfect chance to do it.'
According to Whitmore, his grandfather Gary Evans, 64, was born in Singapore in 1961 at the Changi Hospital. Whitmore's great-grandfather was in the Royal Air Force and lived in a residential unit at Opera Estate near Siglap Road with his wife and son.
When Evans was about eight years old, the family travelled to England for a short break and had planned to return here, but his parents were killed in a car accident – he never returned to Singapore.
Whitmore said: 'Singapore means a lot to my grandad because he said he loved his life here and it is where he has most memories of his parents, so he will always have a deep connection to the country. He has shown me many pictures growing up and told me many stories about Singapore.'
'I had wanted to come here this time with my grandad as well but unfortunately he just had surgery done, so maybe next time.'
Since turning professional, he has been curious about playing for Singapore, but he was unsure about whom to contact. It was not until Ng's journey gained media attention in Wales – where both their clubs are based – that Whitmore decided to reach out to the former via Kieron Evans, a Cardiff player who on recently on loan at Newport.
Ng put Whitmore in touch with FAS and encouraged him to travel here to find out more about the process of becoming a Singapore citizen.
If successful, Whitmore will be another boost for the Lions. The former Swansea City academy footballer, excels in his work rate and ball-winning ability. He made his professional breakthrough in Wales in the JD Cymru Premier, with Penybont and in the 2022-23 season, played a key role in their impressive campaign, featuring in all 32 league games and helping the club secure a top-three finish, which earned them a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers.
Kai Whitmore with his maternal grandfather who was born in Singapore in 1961.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF KAI WHITMORE
He then joined fellow Cymru Premier side Haverfordwest County.
Whitmore's impressive performances in Welsh football then led to his move to Newport County ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Since joining Newport, he has quickly established himself as a key player for the League Two side.
In response to queries, an FAS spokesperson said that the Whitmore family contacted them in early 2025 'expressing Kai's desire to represent Singapore.'
A robust and sustainable football ecosystem to develop local players is the most sustainable and relatable path to long-term success, added the FAS, which noted that naturalisation, when done selectively, can complement these efforts.
'Athletes considered for naturalisation must not only possess exceptional sporting talent that enhances and complement our existing local talent but also show a deep connection to Singapore both on and off the pitch,' said the spokesperson.
During Whitmore's nine-day trip here, he watched a Singapore Premier League match, worked out at the FAS' gym and tried local food such as chicken rice and satay
While he is aware of the process now, he is awaiting news on Ng's citizenship application.
If Ng – who obtained his permanent residency on March 21 – is successful, he will require world governing body Fifa's approval, a step that is expected to be a formality, before he can officially represent the Lions.
Perry Ng, an England-born footballer interacting with youth league players at Kallang Football Hub on March 23, 2025. He is currently a Singapore permanent resident and is looking to get his citizenship and play for the Lions.
PHOTO: ST FILE
On what he learnt from his talks with officials here, Whitmore said: 'I think it's just quite a long, strict process and I think it is a case of everyone waiting to see how Perry's case goes.
'Obviously, I'm still a lot younger than Perry, so I don't think it'll do any harm just carrying on working hard back in the UK and getting better with Newport. And as I get better as a player, if there's a chance, then hopefully I can follow that path and join Perry to play for Singapore.'
Whitmore is willing to give up his British passport – Singapore does not allow dual citizenship – but said he would need to consult with lawyers to ensure that doing so would not impact his ability to continue playing in Britain.
Kai Whitmore used his time here in May to savour local food, including satay at Lau Pa Sat.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF KAI WHITMORE
Besides Ng and Whitmore, there are other players who could don Singapore colours.
Sunderland defender Luke O'Nien, 30, qualifies via his late Singaporean grandfather Lim Cheng Siong, the younger brother of the late Cabinet minister Lim Kim San. He had previously expressed his desire to play for the Lions, but it is unclear if he is still looking to do so.
Austria Lustenau winger Daniel Au Yeong, 22, who has represented Austria at youth level, is also eligible through his father, former Singapore captain Au-yeong Pak Kuan. Manchester United Under youth defender Sonny Aljofree's grandfather is also from Singapore. Sonny was also in town recently for a holiday here and to visit his father Hasney, who is the FAS' head of coach education and development.
In recent years, Japan born midfielder Kyoga Nakamura and South Korean born midfielder Song Ui-young have gained Singapore citizenship after fulfilling the five-year residency rule.
Regional rivals like Malaysia and Indonesia have accelerated their own journeys towards using heritage players.
Malaysia debuted five new naturalised heritage players - Argentine-born attackers Rodrigo Holgado and Imanol Machuca and centreback Facundo Garces, Brazilian-born striker Joao Figueiredo and Spanish-born centreback Jon Irazabal - in an emphatic 4-0 win over Vietnam in a Asian Cup Group F qualifier at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on June 10.
Their starting 11 featured just three Malaysian-born players.
Indonesia have also gone down a similar route and their 23-men squad called up for the recent World Cup qualification matches featured nearly 70 per cent naturalised players of Dutch descent.
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