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Song Ui-young

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In this Korean name, the family name is Song.
Song Ui-young
Song with Lion City Sailors in 2024
Personal information
Date of birth (1993-11-08) 8 November 1993 (age 31)[1]
Place of birth Incheon, South Korea
Height 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder / Forward
Team information
Current team
 Lion City Sailors
Number 15
Youth career
Cheong Wang Middle School[3]
Yeouido High School[3]
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2023 Lion City Sailors 168 (55)
2023 Nongbua Pitchaya 8 (1)
2023–2024 Persebaya Surabaya 17 (1)
2024– Lion City Sailors 14 (4)
International career‡
2021– Singapore 25 (4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 3 August 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21 November 2023
Korean name
Hangul
송의영
Hanja
Revised RomanizationSong Uiyeong
McCune–ReischauerSong Ŭiyŏng

Song Ui-young (born 8 November 1993) is a Singaporean professional footballer who plays primarily as an attacking-midfielder for Singapore Premier League club Lion City Sailors and the Singapore national team. Born in South Korea, he plays for the Singapore national team. Mainly an attacking-midfielder, Song is also capable of playing as an central-midfielder, winger, striker or as a defensive-midfielder occasionally.

Arguably one of the most accomplished midfielders in the Singapore Premier League, he is known for his pace, dribbling, high work rate and superb technical abilities.[4] He moved to Singapore in 2011 to join Home United – now known as the Lion City Sailors. He has established himself as one of the best midfielders in Southeast Asia.

Early life

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Song was born in Incheon, South Korea and spent most of his childhood between school and football. Song was known as a quiet child during his schooling days, but stood out for his footballing skills and passion for the sport. He was scouted in his final year of elementary school to join Cheong Wang Middle School, a school renowned for its footballing programme. Song also moved to the dormitory as the school premises were situated in the Gyeonggi-do province, away from Incheon where he lived.[5]

Club career

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Youth

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At the age of 13, Song began training with the school team of Cheong Wang Middle School. In the final year of middle school, Song was made the team captain and his head coach also put in a recommendation during his graduation for him to attend his high school education at Yeouido High School, which was known for its affiliations with K League Classic club Suwon Samsung Bluewings.[5]

Home United

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Having excelled at youth level for his academy, by the recommendation of his coach from Yeouido High School, Song left South Korea at the age of 17 to pursue footballing opportunities in Singapore. Song's move to Singapore was eased by the presence of Home United's coach, Lee Lim-saeng in which Song said that his academy’s coach knew him. Lee used to work as an assistant coach in Suwon Samsung and the academy was under Suwon Samsung so both coaches knew each other. He also work under assistant coach Baek Jong-seok, whom he shared an apartment with.

Song subsequently joined Home United's youth team, which participates in the Prime League, before being promoted to join the first team which competed in the S.League.[5] On 12 July 2012, Song made his debut appearance for the Protectors in the uniformed derby against Warriors. He played a total of 46 minutes in his first competitive match for the club, which subsequently ended in a 0–3 loss for his side.[citation needed]

Former Home United coach Philippe Aw who managed the Singapore Selection side for the 2016 Sultan of Selangor Cup, selected Song in the 18-man squad for the cup tie that took place at the Shah Alam Stadium on 7 May 2016. He came on as a substitute in the 56th minute, and played the remainder of the match which eventually ended 1–1 (3–4 on penalties) in a win for the Singapore Selection team.[6]

Song often spearhead the attacking players in the false nine position. Alongside Shahril Ishak, he enjoyed a prolific start to the 2018 Singapore Premier League campaign before encountering an injury that ruled him out for the latter half of the season.[citation needed] Song also played a pivotal role in helping the club to a second-place finish, scoring a total of 20 goals over the entire season,[7] securing Home United with a play-off slot for the AFC Champions League as well as its highest ever AFC Cup finish in the quarter-finals.[8]

On 1 November 2018, it was reported that Song had rejected interest from Indonesian giants Persija Jakarta. Despite being offered a deal worth US$20,000 per month from the Indonesian club, Song chose to remain with Home United, stating his hopes of representing Singapore internationally in the future.[9] He also signed a two-year contract extension with the Singapore-based club.[9]

Lion City Sailors

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On 14 February 2020, Home United was purchased, privatised and officially renamed as Lion City Sailors by Singaporean billionaire, Forrest Li.[10] Song remained with the rebranded side, representing the club for the 2020 Singapore Premier League season.

During the 2021 season, Song was quick to express his delight at the influx of fresh talent, which he explained helped boost the quality and intensity of training sessions.[citation needed] However, the arrival of Lopes also meant he had to give up his number 10 shirt.[citation needed] Under new manager Kim Do-hoon, Song was part of the Lion City Sailors side that won the 2021 Singapore Premier League which qualified them for next season AFC Champions League group stage. He ended the season scoring 7 goals in 15 appearances.[citation needed]

In Song's first game of the 2022 season, he helped his side to win the 2022 Singapore Community Shield.[citation needed] He went on to score six goals and provided five assists in 31 appearances for the club. During the 2022 AFC Champions League group stage matches, Song scored a header from Maxime Lestienne's cross which resulted the Sailors to a 3–0 victory against K League 1 club Daegu FC.[11] Against the Chinese club, Shandong Taishan, he scored a goal and provided a assist and was named 'Man of the Match'.[citation needed] In the reverse fixture against Daegu, Song scored a goal again but the Sailors eventually lost the match. In May, it was reported that Daegu and Suwon FC is interested in signing Song and had made an offer.[citation needed]

Song has scored 78 goals and provided 23 assists in 226 appearances across 12 seasons, leaving the Sailors as their all-time top goalscorer with 32 goals in all competitions.[citation needed]

Nongbua Pitchaya

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On 15 January 2023, it was announced that Song had left Lion City Sailors to move out of his “comfort zone” to pursue new challenges with Thai League 1 side Nongbua Pitchaya.[7] On 21 January 2023, Song scored his first goal in his debut game for the club against Bangkok United in a 3–1 lost.

Persebaya Surabaya

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On 2 June 2023, Song signed on with Indonesia's Liga 1 club Persebaya Surabaya.[12] On 18 August 2023, Song scored a rocket shot from outside the box scoring the only goal in the game against Liga 1 champions, PSM Makassar. His goal was voted as the 'Best Goal of the Week' for game week 9.

Return to Lion City Sailors

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After spending nearly a year playing his trade in Thailand and Indonesia, on 7 March 2024, Song returned to his former club Lion City Sailors, on a two-year contract in preparation for the 2024–25 Singapore Premier League season and the newly formed 2024–25 AFC Champions League Two campaign. He will don Number 15 which was his first number that he wore since he moved to Singapore back in 2011. On his official return to the club on 4 May 2024, Song helped his club to win the 2024 Singapore Community Shield in a 2–0 win against Albirex Niigata (S). On 23 June, Song scored his 80th goal in his 230th appearance for the club in a 7–1 thrashing league win over Albirex Niigata (S). On 5 December, Song scored a hat-trick where he also assisted Lennart Thy goal during the club's 5–2 victory against Thailand club Port helping Lion City Sailors to finish as Group F winners and advancing to the round of 16 in the AFC Champions League Two where scored 5 goals in six appearances in the AFC Champions League Two group stage.[13]

International career

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After receiving Singaporean citizenship, Song was called up to the Singapore national team on 27 August 2021.[14][15]

On 11 November 2021, Song made his international debut in a friendly match against Kyrgyzstan.[16] On 5 December 2021, Song made his competitive debut at the 2020 AFF Championship with a 3–0 victory against Myanmar. Song scored his first goal for Singapore in the second leg of the 2020 AFF Championship semi-final match against Indonesia.[17]

Song scored the lead against Kyrgyzstan in the first game of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup third-round qualifiers before turning from hero to zero conceding the next two goals in three minutes sent Singapore to a narrow defeat.[18] His third goal came in a 6–2 win over Myanmar in the final match of their qualifiers.[19]

Song was called up for the 2022 AFF Championship. On 12 September 2023, Song scored a goal against Chinese Taipei in his return to the national team. Singapore won that game 3–1.

On 16 November 2023, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match against South Korea in Seoul, Song pulled off a magnificent performance against his birth country despite the boos from the South Korea fans due to him choosing to represent Singapore, although Singapore still ended up losing 0–5 in the end, having been 0–1 at the interval.

Despite putting a brilliant intense performances for Lion City Sailors throughout the 2024–25 season, Song missed out on the 2024 ASEAN Championship citing personal issues that his mother is unwell and will returned to his native country in South Korea to look after his family.

Style of play

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Initially deployed as a defensive midfielder by former Home United head coach Lee Lim-saeng, Song was placed in more offensive roles under Aidil Sharin Sahak, playing in a variety of positions as a box-to-box or attacking midfielder, winger, second striker and even as a poacher.[20]

Personal life

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Song was inspired to play football professionally at the age of nine after watching the 2002 FIFA World Cup, when the South Korea national team battled their way to fourth place on homeground in which he has stated at he grown up idolise former Manchester United legend, Park Ji-sung.

During an interview in 2016, Song shared his eagerness for representing Singapore internationally, which included having to naturalise as a Singaporean citizen in the process and renouncing his South Korean citizenship, as both Singapore and South Korea do not permit dual citizenship.[4] Song had also been applying to be a Singaporean citizen on his own merit, independent of the possibility of the Football Association of Singapore reviving the Foreign Sports Talent Scheme which was established in the 2000s.[21] Furthermore, he had met FIFA eligibility rules for foreign players planning to represent other national teams, as he has never represented South Korea internationally.[4]

Song moved to Singapore in 2011. In 2020, after three unsuccessful attempts, Song successfully became a permanent resident (PR).[22] A year later on 20 August 2021, Song formally became a Singaporean citizen, therefore making him eligible to represent Singapore. Song had relinquished his South Korean citizenship in the process.[23]

In May 2024, Song married his long-time girlfriend in South Korea, where she resides.[24]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of 30 Aug 2024[25]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Home United 2012 S.League 6 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0
2013 S.League 22 2 4 1 3 1 0 0 0 0 29 4
2014 S.League 6 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0
2015 S.League 20 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 23 1
2016 S.League 19 5 1 0 4 1 0 0 0 0 24 6
2017 S.League 13 2 5 0 0 0 7[a] 3 0 0 25 5
2018 Singapore Premier League 13 10 3 1 0 0 11[a] 9 0 0 27 20
2019 Singapore Premier League 18 6 3 2 0 0 4[b] 3 0 0 25 11
Total 117 26 19 4 9 2 22 15 0 0 167 47
Lion City Sailors 2020 Singapore Premier League 12 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 9
2021 Singapore Premier League 15 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 7
2022 Singapore Premier League 24 13 0 0 0 0 6[c] 3 1[d] 0 31 16
Total 51 29 0 0 0 0 6 3 1 0 58 32
Nongbua Pitchaya 2022–23 Thai League 1 8 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 1
Persebaya Surabaya 2023–24 Liga 1 17 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 1
Lion City Sailors 2024–25 Singapore Premier League 14 4 0 0 0 0 6[a] 5 3[e] 0 23 9
Career total 207 61 19 4 9 2 34 23 4 0 273 90
  1. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in AFC Champions League Two
  2. ^ One appearance and one goal in AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs, three appearances and two goals in AFC Champions League Two
  3. ^ Appearance(s) in AFC Champions League Elite
  4. ^ Appearance(s) in Singapore Community Shield
  5. ^ Two appearances in ASEAN Club Championship, one appearance in Singapore Community Shield

International

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As of match played 3 January 2023
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Singapore 2021 6 1
2022 9 2
2023 1 0
Total 16 3
Scores and results list Singapore's goal tally first.[26]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 25 December 2021 National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore  Indonesia 1–1 2–4 2020 AFF Championship
2. 8 June 2022 Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan  Kyrgyzstan 1–0 1–2 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification
3. 14 June 2022  Myanmar 2–0 6–2
4. 12 September 2023 Bishan Stadium, Bishan, Singapore  Chinese Taipei 1–1 3–1 Friendly

Honours

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Club

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Lion City Sailors

Individual

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References

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  1. ^ "Song Ui-Young". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  2. ^ "Ui-young Song". Eurosport. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  3. ^ a b "An Interview with Song Ui Young". hufc.sg. Home United Football Club. Archived from the original on 31 December 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  4. ^ a b c Chua, Siang Yee (8 April 2016). "Song open to the idea of playing for Singapore, Football News & Top Stories". The Straits Times. Singapore Press Holdings. Archived from the original on 12 May 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  5. ^ a b c "An Interview with Song Ui Young". Home United Football Club. 5 November 2013. Archived from the original on 31 December 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  6. ^ Tan, Kenneth (7 May 2016). "Singapore win Sultan of Selangor Cup on pens". ESPN FC. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  7. ^ a b Ang, Ervin (15 January 2023). "Football: Singapore's Song Ui-young leaves Lion City Sailors for Thai club | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Archived from the original on 17 January 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  8. ^ "'I had a soldier following me wherever I went' - Inside the remarkable career of Lion City Sailors ace Song Ui-young | Goal.com Singapore". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  9. ^ a b Lee, David (1 November 2018). "Home United's South Korean midfielder Song Ui-young says no to US$20,000 a month". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 14 April 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  10. ^ Mohan, Matthew (14 February 2020). "Football: Singapore tech firm Sea takes ownership of Home United; club changes name to Lion City Sailors FC". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  11. ^ Mohan, Matthew (18 April 2022). "Lion City Sailors stun K League side Daegu 3-0 in Asian Champions League clash". CNA. Archived from the original on 18 April 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  12. ^ Ganesan, Deepanraj (4 June 2023). "It's been crazy: Song Ui-young on reception by Indonesian fans after joining Persebaya". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  13. ^ Lee, David (6 December 2024). "On-Song Sailors through to last 16 of AFC Champions League 2". The Straits Times. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  14. ^ "Tatsuma names Lions squad for September". Football Association of Singapore. 27 August 2021. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  15. ^ hermesauto (27 August 2021). "Football: New Singaporean Song Ui-young receives first Lions call-up". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  16. ^ "Lions fall to narrow friendly defeat against Kyrgyz Republic". Football Association of Singapore. 12 November 2021. Archived from the original on 12 November 2021.
  17. ^ "Suzuki Cup: Eight-man Singapore out after semi-final defeat by Indonesia". The Straits Times. 25 December 2021. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  18. ^ "Lions suffer narrow defeat against Kyrgyz Republic - Football Association of Singapore". Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  19. ^ Auto, Hermes (14 June 2022). "Football: Ikhsan Fandi's first international hat-trick spurs Lions to first win under Nishigaya | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Archived from the original on 15 June 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  20. ^ "Song's feeling right at Home in Singapore". FourFourTwo. 4 June 2017. Archived from the original on 4 October 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  21. ^ "FAS' response to supporting Song Ui-young's PR application". Football Association of Singapore. 31 October 2018. Archived from the original on 5 September 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
  22. ^ hermesauto (31 October 2020). "Football: South Korean Song Ui-young gets Singapore PR, sets sights on playing for Lions". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  23. ^ hermesauto (21 August 2021). "Football: Sailors' Korean-born midfielder Song Ui-young is now a Singaporean". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  24. ^ Tianbao, Lin (18 June 2024). "Lion City Sailors' Song Ui-young relishing new roles on and off the field". Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  25. ^ Song Ui-young at Soccerway. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  26. ^ "Ui-young Song". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 25 December 2021. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
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