Perry Ng Moves Closer to Singapore National Team Dream
Perry Ng has spent years talking about it. Now it finally feels within reach.
The Cardiff City defender says he is closer than ever to pulling on the Singapore shirt, a long-held ambition for the Liverpool-born full-back who qualifies through his paternal grandfather.
“I think we’re getting closer,” Ng said, outlining the latest step in a process that has tested his patience as much as any promotion campaign.
Permanent resident, passport next
Ng secured Singapore permanent resident status in March 2025, a key milestone that allowed him to formally apply for citizenship under the Foreign Sports Talent Scheme.
The 30-year-old has previously been open about his frustration with the bureaucracy involved, admitting he found parts of the route to citizenship confusing. The tone now is different. There is still admin to clear, but the finish line is finally visible.
“I think in September I’ll have to go, maybe do a few more different things for the criteria for the passport,” he explained. “But hopefully it’s not too far away now.”
Ng did not just file paperwork from afar. He spent his off-season back in the country he hopes to represent, deepening his ties beyond football.
“I spent a month in Singapore [this summer],” he said. “I got to do a lot of activities and spend time with my family and different community events. It was fantastic.”
A standout season with Cardiff
While his international future edges forward, Ng’s club career has rarely looked stronger.
Last season he was named in the PFA League One Team of the Year as Cardiff City powered their way back to the Championship. His consistency, versatility and calm on the ball made him one of the division’s standout defenders, and his influence in the dressing room has grown with it.
He is under contract at Cardiff until 2028, and with promotion secured and a manager he believes in, there is no sense of a player looking for the exit.
“I think I’ve lost count now. I think it was 11 or 12 [managers],” Ng said of his turbulent time in south Wales. The churn has finally stopped.
“I’ve been waiting for a manager like Brian to come in. So I feel like, why would I leave now?
“I want to continue working with Brian mostly. I think he’s one of the best managers in the league and I’m sure he’ll have a bright future.
“Just the way he sees football and the way he wants us to play, and how detailed he is on and off the pitch. I think that’s been missing at times from my time at Cardiff. He’s just a joy to work with every day.”
Barry-Murphy’s linchpin
Head coach Brian Barry-Murphy has been just as clear about how central Ng is to his plans.
The Irishman has described the defender as “hugely important” to Cardiff, and he wants more than just steady performances from his right-back; he wants a leader.
“We’re now looking for him to really assume the leadership role that he’s done so well and improve himself because he’s a very important player for us,” Barry-Murphy said.
“Perry is a rhythm player. Once he gets his rhythm and starts playing a lot of games, he tends to improve very quickly. We want that from him.”
So Ng stands at a pivotal point in his career. A promotion behind him, a long-term contract in place, a manager he trusts, and a potential international debut for Singapore edging closer with every form signed and every visit made.
The next time he boards a flight to Singapore, it may not just be for family, community work and holidays. It might be to finally pull on the Lions jersey he has been chasing for years.
