Irfan Najeeb Explained

Irfan Najeeb
Fullname:Mohammad Irfan Bin Mohammad Najeeb
Birth Date:31 July 1999
Birth Place:Singapore
Currentclub:Tampines Rovers
Clubnumber:23
Position:Defender
Youthyears1:–2017
Youthclubs1:National Football Academy
Years1:2018–
Clubs1:Tampines Rovers
Caps1:79
Goals1:6
Years2:2019–2020
Clubs2:Young Lions (loan)
Caps2:19
Goals2:0
Nationalyears1:2017–2018
Nationalteam1:Singapore U19
Nationalcaps1:3
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2019–
Nationalteam2:Singapore U23
Nationalcaps2:12
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2019–
Nationalteam3:Singapore
Nationalcaps3:4
Nationalgoals3:1
Club-Update:17:14, 3 November 2019 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:17:14, 3 November 2019 (UTC)

Irfan Najeeb (born 31 July 1999) is a Singaporean footballer who plays as a right-back or centre-back for Singapore Premier League club Tampines Rovers and the Singapore National Team.

Club career

Najeeb started playing football at the age of seven.[1] He was part of the National Football Academy squad in 2017.

Tampines Rovers

In January 2018, Irfan joined Tampines Rovers for the inaugural 2018 Singapore Premier League season. He make his debut on 31 March playing the full match against Albirex Niigata (S). On 2 May, he scored his first professional goal scoring the only goal in the match in a 1–0 win over Balestier Khalsa.

On 6 January 2021, Irfan was registered for the 2021 Singapore Premier League season. On 28 June 2021, Irfan make his AFC Champions League debut coming on as a substitute against Chiangrai United. 4 days later on 1 July 2023, he played the full match against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.

On 17 May 2024, Irfan make his 100th appearance for the club in the Eastern Derby against Geylang International. On 30 June, he scored a brace in a 5–1 thrashing win over Hougang United.

Young Lions (loan)

In January 2019, Irfan moved to Young Lions on loan to get more game time. In 2020, he rarely play for the club as he was going through National Service.

International career

On 23 March 2023, Irfan made his International debut against Hong Kong at the Mong Kok Stadium playing the full match.

On 18 June 2023, Irfan recorded his first international assist for Shawal Anuar in a 1–1 draw against Solomon Islands.

On 18 November 2024, he scored his first international goal in a 3–2 loss to Chinese Taipei.

Personal life

Irfan is the nephew of Singaporean legend, Shahril Ishak.[2]

From January 2019 to December 2020, he completed two years of national service.

Career statistics

Club

ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Tampines Rovers2018Singapore Premier League1622[3] 06[4] 100243
Total162210000243
Young Lions (loan)2019Singapore Premier League130000000130
2020Singapore Premier League6000000060
Total190000000190
2021Singapore Premier League110000040150
2022Singapore Premier League220000020240
2023Singapore Premier League220700010300
2024–25Singapore Premier League8300000083
Total633700070793
Career total9849061701155
Notes

International goals

Honours

Singapore U22

Notes and References

  1. https://tnp.straitstimes.com/sports/singapore-football/new-paper-dollah-kassim-award-nominee-irfan-najeeb Interview with tnp.sg
  2. Web site: Uncle Shahril faces off against nephew Irfan . 6 July 2018 .
  3. Appearances in the Singapore Cup
  4. 5 appearances and one goal in the AFC Cup, one appearance in the AFC Champions League