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Lion City Sailors midfielder Adam Swandi is retiring from professional football at the age of 28 due to a medical condition affecting his heart.
Safety time-out
Adam was substituted at half-time during the Sailors’ Singapore Premier League (SPL) clash with Tanjong Pagar United in September 2024 after feeling unwell. His condition stabilised following immediate medical attention, but subsequent tests revealed an underlying heart condition in the form of cardiomyopathy.
Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that makes it more difficult for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body. It can lead to serious heart conditions and, in more severe cases, symptoms of heart failure.
The condition puts Adam at an extremely high risk of a potentially fatal cardiac event if he continues playing competitive football. As a result, the ex-Singapore international has regretfully decided to end his decade-long professional football career.
Singapore’s brightest talent
It brings the curtain down on the career of one of Singapore’s most precocious footballing talents in recent years. Adam first shot to fame in the 2011 Lion City Cup, where he captained the Singapore Under-15s to victories over Newcastle and Juventus, leading the team to a third-place finish.
He continued to dazzle with his skill and flair in the following edition, which saw him go up against top teams like Ajax Amsterdam and FC Porto. In 2013, his performances earned him a two-year contract with French Ligue 2 side FC Metz, where he represented their Under-19 team.
Adam returned to Singapore in 2015 and played for the Young Lions for two seasons before making history as the first Singaporean to sign for Albirex Niigata (S). During his time with Albirex – which was sandwiched between two separate spells with Home United – he won the league title and was named the league’s Young Player of the Year in 2018.
Sailors’ very own
Adam was part of the inaugural batch of players when the Lion City Sailors were formed in 2020. He is one of only three current Sailors, alongside Hafiz Nor and Haiqal Pashia, to have been with the privatised club since its inception.
Adam made 93 appearances for the Sailors, securing the 2021 SPL title, the 2023 Singapore Cup, and two Community Shield trophies. Following his premature retirement, the Sailors have pledged their support to help him transition smoothly into life after football, as he explores opportunities in technical and non-technical areas within the club.
“Adam has been a valuable member of the club since 2020. His warm personality and consistently upbeat spirit have had a positive impact on everyone here. Given his immense talent, we’re all deeply saddened that he has to end his career in this way,” said Sailors chairman Forrest Li.
“As a club, we’re committed to giving him all the love and support he needs as he transitions into his post-football journey, and we hope he will continue contributing to the club in other capacities.”
Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković added, “While we’re saddened to see Adam step away from the game as a player, his health and family must always come first. Adam is not just a footballer; he’s also a father and a husband.
“I’d like to thank him for being an ever-reliable player and the kind of character everyone loves having in the dressing room. We look forward to supporting him as he embarks on the next chapter of his journey.”
Bigger than football
Having fulfilled his childhood dream of playing professional football and representing the Singapore national team, Adam steps away from the game with no regrets, and is eagerly looking forward to the next chapter of his career.
“I’ve had big ambitions and dreams in football, and I think I’ve achieved most of them. I’m very thankful for the career I’ve had and deeply grateful to the Sailors for supporting me every step of the way,” said Adam, who has earned 22 caps for the Lions.
“Having seen what happened to players like Christian Eriksen, it’s surreal to think that something like this could happen to me. I’m acutely aware of how lucky I am to still be alive. The management has given me their fullest support, and I’m really looking forward to contributing to the club in areas beyond the field.”
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