Perry Ng closer to donning Lions jersey after getting Singapore PR status

SINGAPORE – Cardiff City right-back Perry Ng is one step closer to playing for the Singapore football team after he received his permanent residency on March 21.

In an Instagram story posted on the same day, the 28-year-old was seen standing outside the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority building in Kallang Road, proudly flashing his blue identity card with the name Ng Perry Tian Hee.

He said: “Hello Singapore, I’ve taken my first steps to putting on the red jersey. I’m a bit jet-lagged but I’m so excited and I’ll see you all soon.”

Ng travelled from England to Singapore on March 18 to train with the Lions during the international break. While he is not in the Lions’ squad for the friendly against Nepal on March 21 and the Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong on March 25 – both matches are at the National Stadium – his PR status will be a boost as he seeks to obtain Singapore citizenship and represent the Republic.

When asked for his thoughts on the development later in the day, national coach Tsutomu Ogura, who was still seething after the 1-0 defeat by Nepal, would only say: “I’m not sure when he will be able to get his citizenship, but if it comes soon, maybe it can be good for us.”

Ng had expressed his interest to become a Singapore citizen as early as 2017, and if he is successful, he will become the first footballer to play for the Lions via the heritage route. His grandfather was born in Singapore but moved to Liverpool in the 1970s to study. The latter eventually started a family and built a business in importing and manufacturing there.

Growing up in England, Ng joined the Crewe Alexandra academy when he was five and rose through the