Dai Wai-tsun
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Dai Wai Tsun | ||
| Date of birth | 24 July 1999 | ||
| Place of birth | Hong Kong | ||
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Bury | ||
| Number | 25 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2007–2009 | Eastern | ||
| 2009–2012 | Barcelona (Hong Kong) | ||
| 2012–2016 | Reading | ||
| 2016–2017 | Bury | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2017– | Bury | 1 | (0) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2012–2013 | Hong Kong U-15 | ||
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 6 August 2017. ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 6 June 2016 | |||
Dai Wai Tsun (Chinese: 戴偉浚; Cantonese Yale: Daai Wáihjeun; 24 July 1999 - ) is a Hong Kong footballer who currently plays for League One club Bury. He is a midfielder and holds both a Hong Kong and British passport, thus being eligible to play for both nations. Dai is the second Hongkonger to play in the English football league system after Cheung Chi Doy who played for Blackpool in the First Division.
Early life
Dai was born in Hong Kong, and was influenced by his father (who played for Hong Kong's youth teams) to play football. He started playing the sport at the young age of 4, first joining Eastern AA's youth system for a chance to become an international footballer, then joining the Hong Kong Barcelona Football academy and training with players born in 2000. At first, he played in a defensive-midfield position and was placed under the spotlight, and was often the captain as he showed his leadership skills on the pitch. He has participated in youth matches with Hong Kong Barcelona Football Academy in Spain and Poland, and his father's support was a major factor of his youth success compared with his peers. He moved to England for a chance to get training of a higher quality,[1] and joined the Reading youth team and enrolled in Bradfield College. He was also called up multiple times to the Hong Kong youth squads while in England, and played in multiple international youth competitions. Although becoming a famous young talent in Southern England, his small physique caused him to be overlooked by the Reading coaches.[2]
Career
Bury
He was invited by Bury for a trial, and joined the Bury youth system under the name Tsun Dai. Dai rarely made the bench as his small stature did not help in the English physical style of football. As an Asian he was often bullied and racially abused by his teammates and opponents. However, he often had extra training sessions, especially focussing on improving his strength. He started to become a regular youth player and greatly improved in the two years spent in the youth system. After the 2016-17 season, Bury announced that 11 players were leaving the club, but gave Dai his first professional contract and the number 25 shirt, making him the second Hong Kong footballer to play in the English football league system after Cheung Chi Doy.[3] His first game for Bury was a pre-season start against Sunderland, a Championship club at home, on the 8th of July, 2017. He helped build the second goal for Bury that allowed them to lead 2-1 before half-time, albeit not being credited with an assist. He was substituted out in the second half, and the match ended 3-2 to Sunderland. The coach of Bury, Lee Clark, stated that he was satisfied with Dai's performance and that he had vast potential.[4] On the 16th of July, he played his second game coming off the bench against Huddersfield, recently promoted to the Premier League, and earned a lot of compliment for his outstanding performance. His third match and second start for Bury was against Macclesfield, and played the entire match. Although the team lost 1-0, Dai's performance further improved and impressed both the coaches of Bury and the opponent. He received a 3-year extension to his contract, which would now last to 2020.[5] He made his first league appearance for Bury on 5th August 2017 in a 1-0 win against Walsall, when he came on for Nicky Ajose in the 60th minute.[6]
Career statistics
Club
- As of 10 August 2017.
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| England | League One | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
| Bury | 2016–17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Career total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
Personal life
The official webpage of Bury FC states that as he holds a British passport, he does not need a work permit to play in the league. His father is also an avid football supporter and has played for youth teams in Hong Kong, and goes to support his son every single match. His mother, who works in Hong Kong, visits them every few months. As Dai has played for Eastern's youth squad and has supported them since a young age, he has stated that if he ever has the chance to return to play in his native Hong Kong he would only play for Eastern.[7]
References
- ↑ 【港人踢英甲】港版足球小將月薪八千 戴偉浚誓圓父子英超夢 蘋果日報 18 June 2017 (in Chinese)
- ↑ 港產足球小將戴偉浚獲英甲貝利職業合約 Upower 18 June 2017 (in Chinese)
- ↑ 2016/17 Retained List Bury Football Club 5 May 2017
- ↑ 【香港勁揪】17歲港足球小將踢英甲貝利正選 友賽「黑貓」獲教練大讚 蘋果日報 8 July 2017 (in Chinese)
- ↑ 【英甲】港將戴偉浚獲貝利續約3年 友賽踢足全場不欺場 香港01 19 July 2017 (in Chinese)
- ↑ "Report: Shakers make the perfect start". Retrieved 5 August 2017.
- ↑ 【球星講台】戴偉浚 之 低調外流 香港足球 16 July 2017 (in Chinese)