Sarpreet Singh

Leiria (7th) travel to Chaves (6th)
Sadly Leiria are out the promotion mix now. 8 pts off 3rd spot (sole playoff spot) with just 2 games left.

Another win, another no Singh in the match day squad, can’t find anything on if he’s injured

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2-0 win.

Hate to say it but Leiria have actually gone better without him. He's missed the last 3 games, all wins. That's after 3 consecutive losses prior that scuppered their promotion hopes.

Strange season for Singh. Arrived a bit late. Some visa issues?? 
Finally started to build some momentum (a 2 goal game in January), then maybe missed some games as he got married (strange time for nupitals if that story was true), Leiria on a bad losing run when it looked like they were once a good promotion chance, and now he's missed the last 3 games when they return to winning ways.

His contract expires in June but looks like there is an option for a 2nd year at Leiria. He has 4 goals, and 3 assists in 19 games.

Last game of the season. Leiria (5th) host Tondela (1st, 61 pts).

Tondela need a win to be assured of promotion & the league title. Alverca (2nd, 60 pts) & Vizela (3rd, 59 pts).

Tondela also one of Tyler Boyd's old clubs. He's racked up a few.

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2025/05/17/portugal/liga-de-honra/uniao-leiria/cd-tondela/4405374/

Actually bit of an interesting comparison Boyd to Singh. Leaving the Nix, you would have said Sarpreet definitely the more talented of the two. But kudos to Boyd he's gone on to have a very useful career (shame about the ACL), the high probably being signed by Besiktas. Then making USMNT. From afar he's seemed pretty determined & mentally tough to grind it out, Portugal-Turkey-USA.

Still time for Singh to have similar success.

No Singh as Leiria lose their final game 0-2. He missed the last 4 games of the season.

Better than the last 2 injury interrupted seasons but still not great. Especially considering the level.
19 games. 4 goals & 3 assists. Only 1,055 mins
https://www.transfermarkt.com/sarpreet-singh/profil/spieler/350357

He has an option for a 2nd season at Leiria but will it be activated?  Leiria finish 5th, 10 pts off the promotion playoff spot (3rd)

Walks into an AWs squad. But would he start if both Old & Thomas came into the team? Not so sure. Plus also yes McCowatt in red hot form.

I hope Leiria activate that 2nd year option.

He’s done well for the most part and while he can play at a higher level maybe having some stability in an environment could help him become a more consistent player.

Leiria is also a big club in Portugal that belong in the top division. There’s a lot of ambition there and seeing how they only made it back to the LigaPro a couple seasons ago it’s quite possible they could get promoted next season.

From AV's Stuff article yesterday.
 
His absence for Lieria's last 4 games explained. Singh is due an injury free season wherever he plays next.
Doesn't sound like he will start for the AWs in Toronto, unless they are really toothless in Game 1.


Matt Garbett’s lack of club playing time is set to leave him as a bench option only, while Sarpreet Singh wasn’t used by his Portuguese second-tier club in the final weeks of the season, as he had broken a bone in his hand and they didn’t want to risk him falling on it.

Who saw this one coming!

Serbia, and a reunion with old Nix gaffer Darije Kalezić. Kalezić was appointed coach a few days ago.

TSC were 7th in Serbian Super Liga last season and have current Socceroo Miloš Degenek in their squad. They were 3rd the season before (2023/24), and so qualified for Europe. 23/24 the season Stamenic was at Red Star.

Marko can give him some tips on what to expect.

Interesting time to be in Serbia. Huge protest movement to overthrow the Russian aligned Govt there, after a train station collapse at a city called Novi Sad, not far from Bačka Topola.

Bačka Topola is a pretty small town of only about 12,000 and stadium sits only 4,500. Ethnically a lot of the locals are Hungarian.

Look up who TSC just hired as their new head coach and this will all make sense https://t.co/0eAo7xtmDt

— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) July 3, 2025

coochiee

Who saw this one coming!

Serbia, and a reunion with old Nix gaffer Darije Kalezić. Kalezić was appointed coach a few days ago.

TSC were 7th in Serbian Super Liga last season and have current Socceroo Miloš Degenekin their squad. They were 3rd the season before (2023/24), and so qualified for Europe. 23/24 the season Stamenic was at Red Star.

Marko can give him some tips on what to expect.

Interesting time to be in Serbia. Huge protest movement to overthrow the Russian aligned Govt there, after a train station collapse at a city called Novi Sad, not far from Bačka Topola.

Bačka Topola is a pretty small town of only about 12,000 and stadium sits only 4,500. Ethnically a lot of the locals are Hungarian.

Look up who TSC just hired as their new head coach and this will all make sense https://t.co/0eAo7xtmDt

— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) July 3, 2025

Interesting if true...  from a quick chat gpt.. 

Rough and physical: According to CIES, the SuperLiga ranks among the world’s most foul-heavy leagues—averaging around 30 fouls per match

Not sure that will suit his style??

The man who gave Singh the professional start to his career may just be the man to also save Singh's career. 

Football is a funny thing. Obviously despite the low morale that the results from the Kalezek season would have induced, the relationship between these two must be fairly strong. 

Looking at replies to this Tweet, it seems a legit signing rumour. Wiki have already added Singh to the TSC squad.

I guess it's up to Kalezic to have a plan to protect Sarpreet. Bundesliga 2 is also a physical league, but yeah his time there was mostly disappointing. Apart from a quality half a season at Jahn Regensburg that nearly got him signed by Werder Bremen.

coochiee

Who saw this one coming!

Serbia, and a reunion with old Nix gaffer Darije Kalezić. Kalezić was appointed coach a few days ago.

TSC were 7th in Serbian Super Liga last season and have current Socceroo Miloš Degenekin their squad. They were 3rd the season before (2023/24), and so qualified for Europe. 23/24 the season Stamenic was at Red Star.

Marko can give him some tips on what to expect.

Interesting time to be in Serbia. Huge protest movement to overthrow the Russian aligned Govt there, after a train station collapse at a city called Novi Sad, not far from Bačka Topola.

Bačka Topola is a pretty small town of only about 12,000 and stadium sits only 4,500. Ethnically a lot of the locals are Hungarian.

Look up who TSC just hired as their new head coach and this will all make sense https://t.co/0eAo7xtmDt

— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) July 3, 2025

 sweet stadium

Mmmm, hope it works out for him but yes I would imagine that physically this would be a brute of a league and culturally this may be a brute of a country for him to live in as well.

It is a sweet little stadium.

Sarpreet isn’t a lythe 19 year old anymore. He’s a professional footballer and I’ve seen him earn cards with fouls too. 

Kalezic redemption arc for us Kiwis? Or further down the rabbit hole?

Yeah Singh ain't a skinny kid anymore. I'm sure there will be some games where he gets kicked around the park. He'll just have to deal with it. His last match in Germany he got a straight red. See below

Hopefully English speaking Kalezic doesn't get sacked half way through the season or something. That would then likely make it tough in regional Serbia I imagine. Having Degenek there will also help.

For attacking players it's often when they have a coach who really believes in them that they shine at their best. So hopefully Darije gives Singh the licence to roam around the field, get on the ball often and be that playmaker that he can be. If so then yes all is nearly forgiven from that shambles of a Nix season.

Making his first start for three months, Sarpreet Singh scored a goal… then got sent off

Brother can’t catch a break 😥#FlyingKiwis pic.twitter.com/j2m19FkUEq

— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) May 12, 2024

Rock Hopper

The man who gave Singh the professional start to his career may just be the man to also save Singh's career. 

Football is a funny thing. Obviously despite the low morale that the results from the Kalezek season would have induced, the relationship between these two must be fairly strong. 

Buckingham debuted him the season before DK was appointed. 

DK was always rather reluctant to play Singh when he was here, only giving him regular game time just before he was sacked. Iirc the media kept asking him about playing SIngh a number of times that season.

Greenacre as caretaker is the one that really showed faith in him, with 4 starts in the 6 games that he managed.

Maybe they got on like a house on fire & DK is the reason for the move, it just wouldn't have been my first thought about it.

Sarpreet Singh: The next chapter. https://t.co/q4lMWpoTdU pic.twitter.com/YFQ2TWrVyk

— The Flying Kiwis (@FlyingKiwisFC) July 4, 2025

Officially unveiled by FK TSC Bačka Topola.

Joke league. Hope Baze drops him. Should have come back to the Nix. An ambitious club in the Nix's situation would have made it happen if this was the competition

YoungHeartHM

Sarpreet Singh: The next chapter. https://t.co/q4lMWpoTdU pic.twitter.com/YFQ2TWrVyk

— The Flying Kiwis (@FlyingKiwisFC) July 4, 2025

Officially unveiled by FK TSC Bačka Topola.

He looks depressed in that photo. 

imanixsupporter

Joke league. Hope Baze drops him. Should have come back to the Nix. An ambitious club in the Nix's situation would have made it happen if this was the competition

Gotta be better than the Austrian or portugal 2nd division. Or the LOI..

Bizarrely, Backa Topola also the hometown of former teammate from the Kalezic season, Andrija Kaluđerović.

Genuinely though, that is a rough deal. I don't know how long the contract is, but I wouldn't want to be stuck in Northern Serbia for multiple seasons. Or any of Serbia, if we're being honest. Maybe if he has a good year he can dip south into the Croatian league

Serbia is a great country. 

Amazing people, very hospitable, cheap, good culture.. Underrated place.

Sure it's no Monaco, but there are many many places that are worse to live. Especially if you earn a good salary, which I'm sure he would as a pro footballer there. 

i was thinking it looks like he is posing for a hostage photo

Elemenop

YoungHeartHM

Sarpreet Singh: The next chapter. https://t.co/q4lMWpoTdU pic.twitter.com/YFQ2TWrVyk

— The Flying Kiwis (@FlyingKiwisFC) July 4, 2025

Officially unveiled by FK TSC Bačka Topola.

He looks depressed in that photo. 

Procrastinixing

i was thinking it looks like he is posing for a hostage photo

Elemenop

YoungHeartHM

Sarpreet Singh: The next chapter. https://t.co/q4lMWpoTdU pic.twitter.com/YFQ2TWrVyk

— The Flying Kiwis (@FlyingKiwisFC) July 4, 2025

Officially unveiled by FK TSC Bačka Topola.

He looks depressed in that photo. 

The bro isn’t even smiling in his wedding photo, I think that’s just Sarpreet

Friar Tuck

Procrastinixing

i was thinking it looks like he is posing for a hostage photo

Elemenop

YoungHeartHM

Sarpreet Singh: The next chapter. https://t.co/q4lMWpoTdU pic.twitter.com/YFQ2TWrVyk

— The Flying Kiwis (@FlyingKiwisFC) July 4, 2025

Officially unveiled by FK TSC Bačka Topola.

He looks depressed in that photo. 

The bro isn’t even smiling in his wedding photo, I think that’s just Sarpreet

Legend has it the last time he smiled was when he was in Wellington.

imanixsupporter

Joke league. Hope Baze drops him. Should have come back to the Nix. An ambitious club in the Nix's situation would have made it happen if this was the competition

And yet Poppa picks Milos Degenek as one of his CBs from not only the same league, but the same club side. This for the 26th FIFA ranked Socceroos.

UEFA with it's various league coefficients has Serbia at 22nd. The SPL is 17th, Sweden 18th, Israel 19th, Cyprus (a surprise) at 20th, Croatia 21st. Serbia pulled down a bit by Red Star regularly failing to do anything in the UCL.
https://www.uefa.com/nationalassociations/uefarankings/country/?year=2025
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_coefficient

I mean Daniel Arzani has signed for a Hungarian club (23rd in the league coefficients). We would take Arzani in a heartbeat for the AWs.

I do though worry about Singh living in a town the size of Levin through the harshness of a Serbian winter. Hopefully he starts the season well, and Kalezic looks after him.

Sadly Viktor Orbán is apparently a fan of TSC.

They played in the UEFA Conference League group phase last season (were 3rd in Serbian Superliga season prior), where they finished 24th of 36 teams.
Astana lost 1-0, Legia Warsaw lost 0-3, Lugano won 4–1, St. Gallen 2-2 draw, Gent lost 3-0, and beat Rogerson's old Armenian club Noah 4-3.

Ninja

Serbia is a great country. 

Amazing people, very hospitable, cheap, good culture.. Underrated place.

Sure it's no Monaco, but there are many many places that are worse to live. Especially if you earn a good salary, which I'm sure he would as a pro footballer there. 

I'm not saying it's the worst place in the world by any means, but within the scope of the entirety of Europe it would be pretty far down the list for me personally, especially given it's a tiny town in Vojvodina. Agree on the food and culture, but there's a big difference travelling through a place and living there. 

There's also practically no people of colour in Serbia, even in cities like Belgrade and Novi Sad, let alone smaller towns.

Good luck to him though, I hope the money is good.

imanixsupporter

Joke league. Hope Baze drops him. Should have come back to the Nix. An ambitious club in the Nix's situation would have made it happen if this was the competition

 Not always easy to compare competitions across the globe but opta power rankings is one way you could try and teams in the Serbian SuperLiga are ranked similarly to the AL sides, with Red Star significantly higher as the one outlier.

Yep, it’s the second paragraph which worries me the most about this move and the Serb attitudes to outsiders.

Could be very depressing for him in that regard.

Jazzy Jeff

Ninja

Serbia is a great country. 

Amazing people, very hospitable, cheap, good culture.. Underrated place.

Sure it's no Monaco, but there are many many places that are worse to live. Especially if you earn a good salary, which I'm sure he would as a pro footballer there. 

I'm not saying it's the worst place in the world by any means, but within the scope of the entirety of Europe it would be pretty far down the list for me personally, especially given it's a tiny town in Vojvodina. Agree on the food and culture, but there's a big difference travelling through a place and living there. 

There's also practically no people of colour in Serbia, even in cities like Belgrade and Novi Sad, let alone smaller towns.

Good luck to him though, I hope the money is good.

imanixsupporter

Joke league. Hope Baze drops him. Should have come back to the Nix. An ambitious club in the Nix's situation would have made it happen if this was the competition

Im sure the Nix would appreciate your experience in how they convince players who want to play in Europe either to return to Wellington or if they havnt been here before why the should.come.

Auckland approached Singh last year and apparently even they baulked at the money he wanted. Currently he’s obviously not seriously interested in an ALM return. That may change 

Kinda crazy how a town with that little people can afford players like Singh.

AucklandPhoenix

Yep, it’s the second paragraph which worries me the most about this move and the Serb attitudes to outsiders.

Could be very depressing for him in that regard.

Jazzy Jeff

Ninja

Serbia is a great country. 

Amazing people, very hospitable, cheap, good culture.. Underrated place.

Sure it's no Monaco, but there are many many places that are worse to live. Especially if you earn a good salary, which I'm sure he would as a pro footballer there. 

I'm not saying it's the worst place in the world by any means, but within the scope of the entirety of Europe it would be pretty far down the list for me personally, especially given it's a tiny town in Vojvodina. Agree on the food and culture, but there's a big difference travelling through a place and living there. 

There's also practically no people of colour in Serbia, even in cities like Belgrade and Novi Sad, let alone smaller towns.

Good luck to him though, I hope the money is good.

I read that it's a town of only 15,000 and that 60% are ethnically Hungarian. Agree, a small town in Eastern Europe can be tough. The Aussie centre back who called out the treatment of fans at the A League final is there which can help. Reality is with Eli and Sarpreet in second divisions this last season, others are going to overtake them soon in the standard they're playing. Though there are very few options as a #10 and he does have some of that magic creative spark. Presumably he'll need to develop the physical side in Serbia. My understanding is that if Dibley-Dias breaks through in the next year or two and Ryan Thomas has a good run, they're more 6-8 CMs.

It is quite rare for teams at the highest level to have an old-fashioned #10 anymore, it is quite indulgent to have one in this age of high pressing and fast counterattacks. Singh is not special enough to be an exception. I think we would be fine with Stamenic and Thomas as two #8s, we don't need him. Would be a cool option off the bench when we are needing a moment of inspiration though. 

Niche Cache.
Singh, Bindon and maybe Just if those Motherwell rumours are true. AWs reuniting with former managers very in vogue.
 

It was under the interim guidance of Des Buckingham that Sarpreet Singh made his professional debut for the Wellington Phoenix back in February 2017, two days before his 18th birthday. But it was during the ill-fated Kalezić season that followed when Singh got his first start and promptly became a regular. Granted, that first start came in game 20 of the 23 that Kalezić managed before getting sacked. Singh scored within three minutes of that game and remained a key player from then until his move to Bayern Munich.

It was quite a talking point at the time about how Kalezić wasn’t playing Singh more often. In fairness, DK’s hardly the only football manager in history who was reluctant to play a skinny teenaged local from the academy. Not rating him and not thinking he was ready are two different things. Singh’s performances immediately made that holdout look silly but it’s not like it was impossible to understand. Anyway, he’s got a chance to make amends seven years later after succeeding where Des Buckingham once failed. Might be time for a reappraisal.

In all seriousness, that Phoenix season a very messy one for Kalezić in which he proved to be a poor cultural fit within the A-League... yet that’s a relatively rare blip in the Dutch/Bosnian gaffer’s overall career. He’s been successful enough to earn several good jobs along the way, especially in the Netherlands, the most recent being a two-year stint with ADO Den Haag. Now he’s moved to Serbia and one of the very first things he’s done is to reunite with old mate Sarpreet.

This also solves the question of whether UD Leiria would pick up Singh’s contract option for two more years in the Portuguese second tier. Obviously they didn’t, since there’s been no hint of any transfer fee. Singh had an odd season with UDL. Four goals and three assists in 1055 minutes is pretty great but for whatever reason he never started more than four games in a row, finding himself in and out of the eleven (despite his only proper injury being a broken hand that cost him the last four games of the campaign). Moving to the SuperLiga means he’ll be playing top flight football for the first time since his two appearances for Bayern Munich back in the 2019-20 campaign. This is a hugely exciting move, arguably one he hasn’t entirely earned based on the cursed luck he’s had in club footy since leaving Bayern. But that’s what friends are for. Big churs to Darije Kalezić.

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And so the Serbian season begins!

TSC running out 2-1 winners on opening day against Radnički Niš.

Singh subbed after 81 minutes.

Nice to see him getting good minutes immediately 

Niche Cache. Lets hope for the AWs, Singh has a strong season.


TSC set up in a 4-1-4-1 formation with Singh as one of the tens, although he did occasionally swap with his right winger. That meant plenty of freedom to go get his touches. The thing that gets held against Singh the most is his supposed lack of physicality but, while he may not be built like Liberato Cacace, the bro did spend several years in those Bayern Munich gyms and has played in some rugged leagues. He knows how to hold his own and he showed that on debut in Serbia with some clever touches to keep the ball under pressure, winning five separate free kicks in the process. More of a concern is whether he can stay fit enough to go week in, week out. But so far so good after he logged a strong 80 minutes here.

TSC travel to Radnik