When you’re good enough, you’re old enough.
At Tampines Rovers, we believe in this statement more than anything. We’ve had a history of promoting players from within since our inception more than seven decades ago and many icons have forged their careers by coming through our ranks. We trust our youth, and we aren’t afraid to refine them into finely cut gems.
Therefore, it gives us immense pleasure to announce that one of our own, Joel Chew, has also signed a five-year contract with Tampines Rovers. Joel is one of the most exciting players of his generation and we are keenly awaiting his return to the club after he completes his National Service (NS) duties. Joel signed his contract at the same time with Shah Shahiran, making both players the first two Singaporean footballers to have signed a five-year contract in the Singapore Premier League.
Joel began his journey with the Stags in 2019 and has done tremendously well since. With incredible dribbling skills, impeccable vision, and excellent passing range, he cemented his position as the Young Lions’ lynchpin in the attack. Make no mistake, Joel will only get better, and he has our trust.
When offered the multi-year deal, Joel did not think twice about signing it.
"The club has also shown immense faith in me with this contract,” mentions Joel. “Not everyone in Singapore can say they have signed a five-year deal - this is more common in Europe - and I truly feel valued by the Stags. I aim to repay the club's trust in me by making major contributions to the team in coming seasons once I have fulfilled my NS obligations."
Our Tampines Rovers Head Coach, Gavin Lee, also echoes this trust and believes that Joel has what it takes to become an essential piece in the Tampines Rovers puzzle.
“Joel has made many steps forward from when he first joined the club in 2019 and he has since demonstrated that he has the ability to perform at a higher level too,” asserts Gavin. “Fuelled by his desire to prove his doubters wrong, Joel is another individual [like Kyoga] who is not easily contented and we believe that we have only scratched the surface with his potential.”
Besides reciprocating the faith that the club has shown Joel, it was the club’s vision and progress that convinced him to sign on the dotted line.
“I trust the coaching staff in charge, and the way they want to set up the club presents an exciting project, adds Joel. “Since my first day with Tampines, the club has bolstered so many aspects - from marketing to coaching. But, most importantly, the level of professionalism and ambitiousness that the team possesses has greatly risen. It motivates me to do my best for Tampines Rovers in everything that the club is engaged in - from creating more goal opportunities on the pitch to participating in the various community outreach efforts the club embarks on off it.”
While he is raring to turn out for Tampines Rovers once he finishes his National Service and aims to win the league with the Stags in the future, Joel has sights on other goals in the meantime.
“As things stand, my immediate goal is getting into the squad that will compete in the upcoming SEA Games,” explains Joel. “But that’s not all. I have set myself other targets as well, including a national team call-up. Of course, I understand that getting into the national team will be challenging. Yet, I am certain that it can be achievable with hard work and consistent performances.”
We can’t wait to welcome Joel home as a Stag in 2023!
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