Tsiy Ndenge is not your typical modern-day footballer.

In an era where most athletes cultivate their online presence to connect with fans, the 28-year-old midfielder stands apart. His Instagram feed? Completely empty.

“I’m just a private person,” he said with a shrug. “I don’t like to speak or show off too much of my private life. That’s just how I am.”

That pretty much summed up the first interview with the Lion City Sailors’ latest signing – reserved, softly spoken, and a man who prefers action over words. His replies rarely stretched beyond a few sentences, but there was clarity and conviction in everything he shared.

That low-key persona, however, is a far cry from the version of Tsiy fans will soon come to know on the pitch – an all-action, box-to-box midfielder with the physicality, skill, and dynamism to drive his team forward in both defence and attack.

“I feel comfortable anywhere in the middle,” Tsiy said. “I like to get the ball from everywhere and dictate the game. I try to give everything for the team.”

That complete midfield package, along with his powerful strides and excellent close control, has drawn comparisons with the likes of Paul Pogba – a suggestion Tsiy downplays with typical humility.

“I’ve heard it a few times,” he admitted with a laugh. “Of course, in our position, Pogba and Yaya Touré are great examples. It’s nice to be compared to them, but honestly, it doesn’t mean a lot.”

What does matter to him is impact, and Tsiy has made plenty of that throughout a career shaped by perseverance, growth, and an unrelenting drive.

Born in Cologne to Cameroonian parents and raised in the nearby town of Erftstadt, Tsiy signed his first professional contract with Bundesliga giants Borussia Mönchengladbach at just 18. He represented Germany at Under-19 and Under-20 levels, sharing the pitch with now-established Bundesliga stars such as Maximilian Mittelstädt and Benjamin Henrichs.

A loan spell at Roda JC in the Eredivisie followed in 2017/18 – a challenging year where he came up against future Sailors teammates Bart Ramselaar and Lennart Thy.

“I had a nice time in Holland. Our team wasn’t so successful, but I learnt a lot,” he recalled. “I remember playing against Bart. It wasn’t so nice because PSV were dominant, but no problem.”

From there, Tsiy spent seven years in Swiss football, first with FC Luzern and then with Grasshopper Club Zürich, where he truly came into his own. A stunning long-range strike in just his third game sparked a comeback win over St. Gallen – a goal he still ranks as the best of his career.

More achievements followed. With 15 goals across three seasons for Grasshoppers and commanding midfield displays, Tsiy’s influence grew. His standout performance in a 1-0 win over eventual champions FC Basel last December – outplaying World Cup star Xherdan Shaqiri in the process – was another reminder of his quality.

“My stay in Switzerland was longer than expected. There were setbacks and injuries, but I met amazing people and developed a lot, both as a footballer and a person,” Tsiy, who was recently dubbed ‘the most underrated central midfielder in Europe’, shared. “And the birth of my daughter gave me even more motivation to perform.”

His consistent displays didn’t go unnoticed. Interest came from clubs like FC Cologne, Cagliari, and AEK Athens, but it was the Sailors’ approach that struck a chord.

“Of course there were offers in Europe. But after speaking to the club, I had a really good feeling,” he said. “The whole package – the infrastructure, the trust from the people here – I felt the most confident about this move.”

He revealed that Lennart had also offered him some insight before his move. “I spoke to Lennart, and it was all positive. So I decided to come here.”

Now settling in at Mattar, Tsiy is excited to be part of an ambitious Sailors squad aiming to build on their historic 2024/25 campaign.

“Everyone’s been really friendly – the players, the staff. You can see everyone’s focused and happy at the same time, which creates a great atmosphere,” he said.

“I know the club had a successful season last year, and I’m here to help us go even further. I want to give everything, enjoy my football, and show the fans what I can do.”