Faiq Bolkiah, often cited as the world’s richest footballer, has become a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Thai club Ratchaburi. The 28-year-old Brunei international has yet to decide on his next destination.
Born in 1998 in Los Angeles, Bolkiah is the nephew of the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah. His father, Prince Jefri Bolkiah, is the Sultan’s brother. This royal lineage explains the footballer’s immense wealth, with the Spanish outlet Marca estimating the family’s fortune at €18.698 trillion.
Despite his famous surname, Bolkiah was considered a promising talent in his youth. He trained at the Southampton academy before attracting interest from Arsenal and Chelsea. Eventually, Leicester City entered the race, offering him a three-year professional contract.
However, Bolkiah never made his Premier League debut. His appearances were limited to Leicester’s youth sides and participation in the UEFA Youth League.
In 2020, he moved from England to Portuguese club Marítimo, but did not feature for their senior team. Subsequently, Bolkiah continued his career in Thailand, spending two years at Chonburi before joining Ratchaburi in 2023.
Recent seasons have been hampered by injuries. Over the past year, Bolkiah has only logged 114 minutes on the pitch, significantly restricting his chances to showcase his abilities.
At the international level, Bolkiah chose to represent Brunei, although he had also considered playing for the United States during his childhood. At 18, he was appointed captain of the national team and has earned six caps in total.
Related Stories
