Luther Singh

{{Short description|South African soccer player}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}

{{Use South African English|date=May 2019}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Luther Singh

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| fullname = Luther Wesley Singh{{cite web |url=http://www.fifadata.com/document/fwyc/2017/pdf/fwyc_2017_squadlists.pdf |title=FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017: List of Players |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |date=9 January 2017 |access-date=25 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225174344/https://www.fifadata.com/document/FWYC/2017/pdf/FWYC_2017_SquadLists.pdf |archive-date=25 December 2018 |url-status=dead }}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|08|05|df=y}}

| birth_place = Noordgesig, South Africa{{cite news|url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2016/12/12/Is-Luther-Singh-the-next-great-South-Africa-soccer-star|title=Is Luther Singh the next great South Africa soccer star?|website=Times Live|last=Said|first=Nick|date=12 December 2016|accessdate=13 December 2016}}

| height = 1.71 m{{cite news|url=http://www.starsofafrica.net/?post_type=portfolio&p=742 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302213802/http://www.starsofafrica.net/?post_type=portfolio&p=742 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 March 2016 |title=Luther Singh |website=Stars of Africa

|accessdate=26 October 2016 }}

| currentclub = AEL Limassol

| clubnumber = 17

| position = Winger

| youthyears1 = 2008–2015

| youthclubs1 = Stars of Africa

| years1 = 2015–2016

| clubs1 = GAIS

| caps1 = 36

| goals1 = 11

| years2 = 2017–2021

| clubs2 = Braga B

| caps2 = 52

| goals2 = 14

| years3 = 2019

| clubs3 = → Chaves (loan)

| caps3 = 17

| goals3 = 2

| years4 = 2019–2020

| clubs4 = → Moreirense (loan)

| caps4 = 21

| goals4 = 3

| years5 = 2020–2021

| clubs5 = → Paços Ferreira (loan)

| caps5 = 29

| goals5 = 5

| years6 = 2021–2023

| clubs6 = Copenhagen

| caps6 = 4

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2022–2023

| clubs7 = → Chaves (loan)

| caps7 = 22

| goals7 = 0

| years8 = 2023–2024

| clubs8 = Čukarički

| caps8 = 10

| goals8 = 2

| years9 = 2024–

| clubs9 = AEL Limassol

| caps9 = 30

| goals9 = 2

| nationalyears1 = 2016–2017

| nationalteam1 = South Africa U20

| nationalcaps1 = 13

| nationalgoals1 = 9

| nationalyears2 = 2019–2021

| nationalteam2 = South Africa U23

| nationalcaps2 = 9

| nationalgoals2 = 1

| nationalyears3 = 2017–

| nationalteam3 = South Africa

| nationalcaps3 = 13

| nationalgoals3 = 3

| club-update = 09:39, 12 May 2025 (UTC)

| nationalteam-update = 6 September 2021

}}

Luther Wesley Singh (born 5 August 1997) is a South African professional soccer player who plays as a winger for Cypriot club AEL Limassol and the South Africa national team.

Prior to making his senior international debut in 2017, Singh represented the South Africa national under-20 team, with whom he won the Golden Boot award at both the 2016 COSAFA Under-20 Championships and the 2017 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.

Club career

=Early career=

Singh is an academy graduate of the famed South-African-based Stars of Africa football academy which he joined at the age of 11, after being scouted by Farouk Khan.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbesafrica.com/sport/2017/07/12/africas-next-star/|title=Is This Africa's Next Star?|website=Forbes|date=12 July 2017|accessdate=12 July 2017}} Through the academy, Singh was afforded the opportunity to train in Brazil when he was 16 where he spent time with Vasco da Gama and Fluminense.

=GAIS=

Singh's success at the Stars of Africa academy caught the attention of numerous clubs and in 2015 Swedish second-division side GAIS signed him.{{cite news|url=http://www.kickoff.com/news/67102/real-madrid-want-south-african-teenager-luther-singh|title=Real Madrid want South African teenager Luther Singh|website=KickOff|date=14 July 2016|accessdate=26 October 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/categories/players-abroad/luther-singh-has-signed-for-gais-in-sweden/215898|last=Crann|first=Joe|title=Swedish Club Snap Up Another South African|website=Soccer Laduma|date=18 August 2015|accessdate=26 October 2016}} In his first season with GAIS, Singh was employed as a winger and netted two goals in eight league appearances for the club before his season was cut short through injury.{{cite news|url=http://www.kickoff.com/news/65236/luther-singh-on-song-in-sweden-at-gais-|title=Luther Singh on song in Sweden at GAIS|website=KickOff|date=13 May 2016|accessdate=26 October 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/categories/players-abroad/gais-luther-singh-is-back-in-south-africa-sorting-out-his-passport-issues/226698|last=Crann|first=Joe|website=KickOff|title=Swedish-Based SA Starlet Missing Due To Passport Issues|date=29 February 2016|accessdate=26 October 2016}} For the 2016 campaign, he was converted into a forward and scored the first professional hat-trick of his career on 22 May in a 7-0 win over Ängelholm.{{cite news|url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/2016/05/24/Victory-is-Swede-for-SA-footballer-Singh|last=Said|first=Nick|title=Victory is Swede for SA footballer Singh|website=Times Live|date=24 May 2016|accessdate=26 October 2016}} In July, the player confirmed that the Real Madrid B side and Swansea had previously been in contact with Khan, as his agent, over a potential transfer. GAIS rejected these advances, however, in a bid to hold on to Singh until his contract expired.{{cite news|url= http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/categories/players-abroad/swansea-city-want-gais-luther-singh/235481|last=Crann|first=Joe|title=Swansea Keen On GAIS' SA Superstar|website=Soccer Laduma|date=29 September 2016|accessdate=26 October 2016}} In August of the same year, Singh rejected a move to Serie A side Pescara, claiming better options would become available to him once he was a free-agent.{{cite news|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/categories/players-abroad/luther-singh-has-turned-down-serie-a-s-pescara/235725|title=SA Starlet Turns Down Serie A|website=Soccer Laduma|date=24 August 2016|accessdate=26 October 2016}} He ultimately made 28 appearances for the Superettan season and scored 9 goals as GAIS ended the campaign in eighth place.{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/categories/players-abroad/luther-singh-opens-up-on-gais-exclusion/248826|title=Singh: He's The Coach, The Boss Of The Team|website=Soccer Laduma|last=Smith|first=Kyle|date=10 April 2017|accessdate=10 May 2017}}

=Braga=

Following the expiration of his contract with GAIS, Singh signed for Portuguese Primeira Liga side Braga on 21 January 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/categories/thursday-content/luther-singh-has-signed-for-braga-in-portugal/242909|title=SA Starlet Lands Portuguese Deal|website=Soccer Laduma|last=Crann|first=Joe|date=21 January 2017|accessdate=22 January 2017}} There, he teamed up with the club's reserve side who played in the LigaPro. He scored his first goal on 15 February 2017, netting the fifth in a 5–0 win over Vizela, and ultimately scored 14 goals in 52 appearances over the next season and a half.{{cite web|url=http://www.kickoff.com/news/73095/luther-singh-scores-first-goal-for-sporting-braga-b|title=Luther Singh scores first goal for Sporting Braga B|website=Kick Off|date=16 February 2017|accessdate=25 March 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://www.kickoff.com/news/91987/luther-singh-bafana-bafana-winger-stars-|title=Luther Singh: Bafana Bafana winger stars in Primeira Liga debut for Grupo Desportivo de Chaves|publisher=Kick Off|date=4 January 2019|accessdate=4 January 2019}}

==Loan to Chaves==

In January 2019, Singh joined fellow Primeira Liga side Chaves on loan for the remainder of the season.{{cite news|url=http://www.kickoff.com/news/91858/sc-braga-winger-luther-singh-agrees-six-|title=SC Braga winger Luther Singh agrees six-month loan deal to secure regular first-team football|publisher=Kick Off|last=Kohler|first=Lorenz|date=3 January 2019|accessdate=3 January 2019}} On 3 January, he made his debut for the club and was named man of the match for his performance in a 0–0 draw with Feirense. He scored his first goal in his third appearance for the club, netting the winner in a 2–1 league win over Tondela.{{cite news|url=http://www.kickoff.com/news/92222/sa-players-abroad-wrap-luther-singh-lars|title=SA Players Abroad wrap: Luther Singh and Lars Veldwijk amongst the goals|publisher=Kick Off|date=14 January 2019|accessdate=17 January 2019}} He ultimately scored twice in seventeen appearances, but Chaves suffered relegation at the end of the campaign.{{cite news|url=https://www.kickoff.com/news/articles/world-news/categories/news/players-abroad/sa-players-abroad-dino-ndlovu-may-mahlangu-and-liam-jordan-all-find-the-net-this-weekend/655330|title=Players Abroad: Dino, May, Jordan score|publisher=Kick Off|last=Kohler|first=Lorenz|date=20 May 2019|accessdate=6 June 2019}}

==Loan to Moreirense==

On 13 August 2019, he joined another Portuguese club Moreirense on a season-long loan.{{cite press release|publisher=Moreirense|url=https://www.moreirensefc.pt/noticias.php?verNoticia=cf3556551fb5c427354f5695f09b4f99|title=Luther Singh reforça ataque do Moreirense|date=13 August 2019|language=Portuguese}}

==Loan to Paços de Ferreira==

On 21 September 2020, he joined another Portuguese club Paços de Ferreira on a loan.{{cite press release|publisher=Kickoff.com|url= https://www.kickoff.com/news/articles/world-news/categories/news/sa-players-abroad/luther-singh-joins-pa-os-de-ferreira-from-sc-braga-on-loan-for-2020-21-season/683765|title= luther singh joins pacos de ferreira from sc braga on loan for 2020-21 season|date=18 August 2020| language=English}}

=Copenhagen=

On 18 August 2021, Singh was picked up by perennial Danish frontrunner F.C. Copenhagen on a permanent transfer for an undisclosed fee.{{cite press release|publisher=F.C. København|url= https://www.fck.dk/nyhed/fck-henter-luther-singh|title= FCK Henter Luther Singh|date=18 August 2021| language=Danish}} He made his debut on 22 August, coming on as a substitute for Mohamed Daramy in the 80th minute of a 2–0 win over SønderjyskE.{{cite web |title=FC Copenhagen vs. SønderjyskE – 22 August 2021 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2021/08/22/denmark/superliga/fc-kobenhavn/sonderjyske/3510699/ |website=int.soccerway.com |access-date=27 January 2022}} In the UEFA Europa Conference League game against PAOK on 21 October, he came on as a half-time substitute, but was subbed off again before the final whistle.{{cite web |title=FC Copenhagen vs. PAOK – 21 October 2021 –|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2021/10/21/europe/uefa-europa-conference-league/fc-kobenhavn/paok-fc/3633732/ |website=int.soccerway.com |access-date=27 January 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Hoffskov |first1=Ole |title=Jess Thorup skal have en snak med Luther Singh |url=https://www.tipsbladet.dk/nyhed/superliga/jess-thorup-skal-have-en-snak-med-luther-singh |work=Tipsbladet.dk |date=22 October 2021 |language=da}} He was heavily criticized for his performance, with Danish commentators during the game saying that "he looks like someone who ate three burgers before coming onto the pitch".{{cite news |last1=Nielsen |first1=Christian |title=Kommentator om FCK-indkøb: 'Ligner én der har spist 3 burgere, inden han kom på banen' |url=https://www.tv3sport.dk/sport/ishockey/nyheder/kommentator-om-fck-indkob-ligner-en-der-har-spist-3-burgere-inden-han-kom-pa-banen |work=TV3 SPORT |date=17 October 2021 |language=da}}{{cite news |title=Boilesen forsvarer udskældt FCK-indkøb: Voksenmobning |url=https://www.berlingske.dk/sport/boilesen-forsvarer-udskaeldt-fck-indkoeb-voksenmobning |work=Berlingske.dk |date=24 October 2021 |language=da}} He was hospitalised in November 2021 after falling ill,{{cite web |title=Luther Singh indlagt |url=https://www.fck.dk/nyhed/luther-singh-indlagt |website=F.C. København |language=da |date=6 November 2021}} something his agent later attributed to depression after being subject to criticism.{{cite news |last1=Okstrøm |first1=Oliver |title=Singh-agent: Burger-joke ramte ham mentalt |url=https://www.tipsbladet.dk/nyhed/superliga/singh-agent-burger-joke-ramte-ham-mentalt |work=Tipsbladet.dk |date=12 November 2021 |language=da}}

Singh joined former club Chaves on a season-long loan on 24 August 2022.{{cite web |title=Luther Singh loaned to GD Chaves |url=https://www.fck.dk/en/news/luther-singh-loaned-gd-chaves |website=F.C. København |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117062219/https://www.fck.dk/en/news/luther-singh-loaned-gd-chaves |archive-date=17 November 2022 |date=24 August 2022 |url-status=live}}

Singh was released from his Copenhagen contract on 1 September 2023.{{cite web |title=FCK AND LUTHER SINGH CANCEL THE AGREEMENTs |url=https://www.fck.dk/nyhed/fck-og-luther-singh-ophaever-aftalen |website=F.C. København |date=1 September 2023 }}

International career

=Under-20=

Singh represented South Africa at the 2016 COSAFA Under-20 Championships and scored in nation's 8-0 win over Lesotho during the group stage.{{cite news|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/categories/bafana/cosafa-cup-report-south-africa-u20-8-0-lesotho-7-december-2016/241419|title=Merciless Amajita Hammer Lesotho 8-0|website=Soccer Laduma|date=7 December 2016|accessdate=13 December 2016}} After winning all three of their group stage matches, South Africa progressed to the semi-final where they beat Angola 5-0, with Singh netting a hat-trick on the day.{{cite news|url=http://www.cosafa.com/partners/2016-cosafa-u20-champs/|title=2016 COSAFA U20 Champs|website=COSAFA|accessdate=15 December 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.kickoff.com/news/71520/new-young-star-luther-singh-scored-four-goals-as-amajita-thumped-angola-5-0-to-reach-the-2016-cosafa-under-20-championships-final|title=New young star Luther Singh scored three goals as Amajita thumped Angola 5-0 to reach the 2016 COSAFA Under-20 Championships final|website=Kick Off|date=14 December 2016|accessdate=15 December 2016}} South Africa lost in the final, however, with an assist from Singh not enough to prevent the nation going down 2-1 to Zambia.{{cite news|url=http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/c94daa804f5bc460a6b4afc6bdfec5d9/Zambia-edge-Amajita-to-win-Under-20-COSAFA-Cup-20161712|title=Zambia edge Amajita to win Under-20 COSAFA Cup|website=SABC|date=17 December 2016|accessdate=21 December 2016}}{{cite web|url= http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/4563/main/2017/03/23/33915472/top-10-african-wonderkids-in-the-world-today/south-africa-u20-luther-singh/8|title=Top 10: African wonderkids in the world today|website=Goal|accessdate=25 March 2017}} At the conclusion of the tournament Singh was awarded the Golden Boot award for his tally of five goals throughout the competition. He then represented South Africa at the 2017 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations and scored a hat-trick in the nation's opening match against Cameroon.{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/categories/south-africa/luther-singh-credits-teamwork-for-impressive-performance/245295|title=Amajita's Three-Goal Hero Speaks|website=Soccer Laduma|date=28 February 2017|accessdate=25 March 2017}} He scored once more against Senegal before South Africa were eliminated from the competition in the semi-finals, losing out again to eventual champions Zambia. Singh's tally of four goals for the tournament, coupled with two assists earned him the Golden Boot award and a spot in the CAF Best XI.{{cite web|url=http://www.cafonline.com/en-US/NewsCenter/News/NewsDetails?id=L2j37ImUEFXmNt1WyLjDJA%3d%3d|title=Awards and Statistics|website=CAF|date=12 March 2017|accessdate=25 March 2017}} In May the same year, Singh was named in South Africa's 21-man squad for the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea.{{cite web|url=http://www.kickoff.com/news/75148/luther-singh-eager-to-impress-with-amajita-at-the-fifa-under-20-world-cup-in-south-korea|title=Luther Singh eager to impress with Amajita at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in South Korea|website=Kick Off|date=8 May 2017|accessdate=10 May 2017}}

=Senior=

Following his impressive performances at the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations, Singh was called up by interim manager Owen Da Gama to the senior national team in March 2017 for friendlies against Guinea-Bissau and Angola.{{cite web|url=http://www.kickoff.com/news/73785/luther-singh-admits-he-was-not-surprised-by-his-first-call-up-to-bafana-bafana|title=Luther Singh admits he was not surprised by his first call-up to Bafana Bafana|website=Kick Off|date=14 March 2017|accessdate=25 March 2017}} Though an unused substitute in South Africa's 3–1 win over the former, he made his debut for the national team on 28 March against the latter, starting in a 0–0 draw.{{cite web|url=http://www.supersport.com/football/bafana/news/170328/Mahlambi_Singh_start_for_Bafana|title=Mahlambi, Singh start for Bafana|website=Supersport|date=28 March 2017|accessdate=30 March 2017}} The following year he was named in Stuart Baxter's provisional squad for the 2018 COSAFA Cup before taking part in the 2019 edition where he scored his first international goals, against Botswana and Uganda respectively.{{cite news|url=http://www.cosafa.com/baxter-names-preliminary-squad-for-2018-cosafa-cup/|title=Baxter names preliminary squad for 2018 COSAFA Cup|publisher=COSAFA|date=3 May 2018|accessdate=15 May 2018}}{{cite news|url=http://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/on-song-singh-says-making-afcon-selection-will-be-a-dream-come-true/|title=On song Singh says making AFCON selection will be a dream come true|publisher=South African Broadcasting Channel|date=5 June 2019|accessdate=6 June 2019}}

Personal life

Singh is of black South African and partial Indian descent, through his Punjabi Sikh grandfather, and was raised in the Noordgesig township in Soweto. His father, uncle and cousins all played football at an amateur or semi-pro level.

Career statistics

=Club=

{{updated|match played 7 March 2025}}{{Soccerway|luther-singh/413520}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

rowspan="2"|Club

!rowspan="2"|Season

!colspan="3"|League

!colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Svenska Cupen, Taça de Portugal}}

!colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes Taça da Liga}}

!colspan="2"|Europe

!colspan="2"|Other

!colspan="2"|Total

LeagueAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
rowspan="3"|GAIS

|2015

|rowspan="2"|Superettan

|8

231colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—113
2016

|28

910colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—299
colspan="2"|Total

!36

1141colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—4012
rowspan="4"|Braga B

|2016–17

|rowspan="3"|Liga Portugal 2

|9

1colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—91
2017–18

|35

11colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—3511
2018–19

|8

2colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—82
colspan="2"|Total

!52||14||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||52||14

Braga

|2018–19

|rowspan="4"|Primeira Liga

|0

0100000colspan="2"|—10
Chaves (loan)

|2018–19

|17

20000colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—172
Moreirense (loan)

|2019–20

|21

31000colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—223
Paços de Ferreira (loan)

|2020–21

|29

50010colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—305
Copenhagen

|2021–22

|Danish Superliga

|4

000colspan="2"|—3{{efn|Appearance(s) in UEFA Conference League}}0colspan="2"|—70
Chaves (loan)

|2022–23

|Primeira Liga

|22

01021colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—251
Čukarički

|2023–24

|Serbian SuperLiga

|10

220colspan="2"|—40colspan="2"|—162
AEL Limassol

|2024–25

|Cypriot First Division

|23

230colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—262
colspan="3"|Career total

!214

3912131700023641

{{notelist}}

=International=

{{updated|6 September 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/67679/Luther_Singh.html|title=Singh, Luther|website=National Football Teams|access-date=15 May 2018}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year

National teamYearAppsGoals
rowspan="5"|South Africa

|2017

10
201820
201932
202041
202130
colspan="2"|Total133

:Scores and results list South Africa's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Singh goal.

class="wikitable sortable"

|+ List of international goals scored by Luther Singh

scope="col"|No.

!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Venue

!scope="col"|Opponent

!scope="col"|Score

!scope="col"|Result

!scope="col"|Competition

align="center"|12 June 2019Princess Magogo Stadium, KwaMashu, South Africa{{fb|BOT}}align="center"|1–0align="center"|2–2 {{pen|4–5}}2019 COSAFA Cup
align="center"|24 June 2019Princess Magogo Stadium, KwaMashu, South Africa{{fb|UGA}}align="center"|1–1align="center"|1–1 {{pen|4–2}}2019 COSAFA Cup
align="center"|38 October 2020Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, South Africa{{fb|NAM}}align="center"|1–0align="center"|1–1Friendly

Honours

Copenhagen

  • Danish Superliga: 2021–22{{cite web |title=FC Copenhagen win 14th Danish league title |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/939970/fc-copenhagen-win-14th-danish-league-title/|website=www.dailytimes.com.pk |access-date=22 May 2022}}

South Africa U23

  • Africa U-23 Cup of Nations third place: 2019{{Cite web|url=https://www.safa.net/2019/11/01/notoane-announces-sa-u-23-afcon-2019-squad/|title=Notoane announces the SA U-23 AFCON 2019 squad|date=November 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2019/11/22/africa/u23-cup-of-nations/south-africa-u23/ghana-under-23/3177638/|title=South Africa U23 vs. Ghana U23 - 22 November 2019 - Soccerway}}

Individual

References

{{reflist}}