Singapore starlet Adam Swandi joins French side Metz

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The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) has announced that rising star Adam Swandi will take up a two-year contract with French club Metz.

In a press release on Saturday, it was revealed that he will be leaving for Paris, France on Sunday and the contract will allow him for further his studies while he plays for Metz, whose Under-19 team will face the likes of top French teams Nancy, Reims, Sochaux and Troyes in the Championnat National youth competition/

Having been named the Most Valuable Player of the Singapore National Football Academy Under-16 team at the 24th Canon Lion City Cup tournament last June, the captain recently underwent a number of training stints with top European clubs such as Newcastle, Chelsea, Metz and Atletico Madrid.

Adam will be training with and learning from fellow youth players at Metz, who have gained recognition in France and Europe for its successful youth academy. producing the likes of French internationals Robert Pirès and Louis Saha, and Togo international Emmanuel Adebayor.

Former National Football Academy (NFA) Under-16 captain Adam said: "I would like to thank FAS, in particular President Zainudin Nordin and General Secretary Winston Lee, for securing my two-year youth contract with FC Metz as well as their commitment in training and developing me over these years. I would also like to thank the Singapore Sports School for helping me fulfill my sporting potential."

"FAS helped arrange the training attachments and allowed me to gain good exposure. I was able to learn a lot at top European clubs. I am both humbled and honoured to have been singled out by some coaches and clubs in Europe and after much consideration, I have decided to take up FC Metz's offer because I liked what I saw and experienced and the fact that FC Metz is a club renowned for its youth academy. I am definitely looking forward to further develop my footballing capabilities as well as academic studies at the club."

FAS President Zainudin Nordin said: "Youth development is one of the core areas of our Strategic Plan. We have been sending young players for overseas exposure on a regular basis, in order to facilitate their development and maximise their potential. Last year, FAS established a Football Development Fund which will be used primarily to send players, coaches, referees and staff for overseas attachments to enhance their capabilities and capacities.

Adam concluded: "I am confident that more local youth players will have the opportunity to play in Europe to enhance their development soon, in view of the comprehensive and holistic structure of youth development system at FAS, coupled with the establishment of the Football Development Fund."