Harry Birtwistle, 17-years-old, went down in history as the first footballer who was born in Singapore to sign professional terms with an English Premier League football club.
Harry’s signed with Wolverhampton Wanderers on 27 October.
According to the Straits Times, he was born to a Singaporean mother and British father, and lived in Singapore until he was 13, before moving to England to chase his footballing dreams.
The Singapore Ministry of Defence said on 29 October that the boy’s parents had applied to renounce his Singapore citizenship, and under the Enlistment Act of Singapore, all male Singaporeans are required and liable to serve National Service once they turn 18.
MINDEF said that his applications were rejected, citing: “renunciation should not be used as a means to evade NS duties”.
According to MINDEF, “Mr Birtwistle failed to register for NS as required. He is also staying overseas without a valid Exit Permit. Mr Birtwistle has committed offences under the Enlistment Act.”
Images source: Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club and @harrybirtwistle on IG