Perry Ng Approaches Singapore Dream as Cardiff Defender Takes on New Role

Perry Ng has spent years talking about it. Now, for the first time, it feels within reach.

The Cardiff City defender says he is finally closing in on his ambition of pulling on the Singapore shirt, after a long and often confusing journey through the country’s citizenship process.

Born in Liverpool but eligible for Singapore through his paternal grandfather, Ng has never hidden his desire to represent the Lions and test himself on the international stage. The 30-year-old took a major step in March 2025 when he secured permanent resident status, and he has since applied for citizenship via the Foreign Sports Talent Scheme.

The road has not been smooth.

Ng has previously admitted to feeling frustrated and bewildered by the process, unsure at times of what exactly was required of him. Now, though, the tone has shifted.

"I think we're getting closer," he said. "I think in September I'll have to go, maybe do a few more different things for the criteria for the passport, but hopefully it's not too far away now."

That optimism is rooted in more than paperwork. Ng spent his off-season in the country he hopes to represent, immersing himself in the place he wants to call home on the pitch as well as off it.

"I spent a month in Singapore [this summer]," he explained. "I got to do a lot of activities and spend time with my family and different community events. It was fantastic."

While his international future inches forward, his club career has rarely looked stronger.

Ng was named in the PFA League One Team of the Year last season after playing a key role in Cardiff’s promotion back to the Championship. His consistency and versatility have turned him into one of the pillars of a side rebuilt under head coach Brian Barry-Murphy.

Ng has seen managers come and go at an almost absurd rate during his time in south Wales.

"I think I've lost count now. I think it was 11 or 12 [managers]," he said.

That churn is exactly why Barry-Murphy’s arrival has felt so significant to him.

"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."

Cardiff clearly see Ng as central to that project. He is under contract until 2028, and Barry-Murphy has already underlined just how central the defender has become to his plans.

"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," the head coach 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 compelling crossroads: a leader at club level, trusted and valued, while edging ever closer to a new identity on the international stage.

If the final pieces of paperwork fall into place by September, Cardiff’s rhythm player could soon be marching out to a very different anthem.