Lam Ka Wai

Lam Ka Wai (; born 5 June 1985) is a Hong Kong professional footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Hong Kong Premier League club Sha Tin. He is also the assistant coach of the club.

Lam is an AFC B License holder.

Club career

Early career Lam lived away from his parents and spent his childhood years playing football. During his school life, he showed his talent in soccer. He could complete with high school teammates while aged 15. He was studying in Concordia Lutheran School and he ceased his studies to pursue a footballing career by Secondary 3.

Lam started his football career at Yee Hope's youth academy. In 2002 he joined Rangers but was loaned to Double Flower on a monthly salary of just HKD$1,500, to train under coach Chiu Chung Man. In 2003, Lam was loaned further to Kitchee when he was just 17, along with future Hong Kong teammate Chan Siu Ki.

2010–11 season In the 2010–11 Hong Kong First Division League season, Lam led all local players with 9 goals on the season, including 2 goals against eventual runners-up South China in a crucial 4-3 away win, and was a key member of the team which won the First Division title by one point. This was the first title for Kitchee in 47 years, gaining the club the rights to play in the 2011 Barclays Asia Trophy and 2012 AFC Cup. For his efforts, Lam was voted into the Hong Kong Top Footballer Awards Best XI of the 2010-11 season.

After the season ended, Lam played in a local soccer game without Kitchee's consent and fractured his fibula, rendering him unavailable in both the 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers (representing Hong Kong) and the 2011 Premier League Asia Trophy. Lam's vice-captaincy at Kitchee was subsequently suspended.

2011–12 season On 19 April 2012, Lam received the Monthly MVP award for the month of March from the Hong Kong Sports Press Association, after helping the club win the 2011–12 Hong Kong League Cup. Lam proceeded to win the domestic treble with Kitchee in the 2011-12 season.

2012–13 season Lam's impact was limited by various injuries throughout Kitchee's 2012-13 campaign, recording only 10 appearances and 1 goal in the league. Despite the second place finish, Kitchee retained their rights to play in the 2014 AFC Cup through winning the 2012–13 Hong Kong season play-off.

2013–14 season On 29 July 2013, in an exhibition match against English Premier League giants Manchester United at the Hong Kong Stadium, Lam scored by curling the ball into the top corner from outside the box on 53 minutes after dribbling past star midfielder Michael Carrick, giving reserve United keeper Ben Amos no chance. He also recorded an assist in a 2–5 defeat.

In the league season, Lam played a central role and contributed to Kitchee's Invincible season en route to their third title in four seasons. Lam also took part in Kitchee's monumental run to the semi-finals of the 2014 AFC Cup, scoring a goal against Arema Cronus in the Round of 16.

2016–17 season On 25 January 2017, Lam scored a last-minute winner versus Hà Nội to lift Kitchee to victory in their 2017 AFC Champions League qualifying play-off match.

2017–18 season On 26 May 2018, Lam made his final appearance for Kitchee as the club won the 2017–18 Hong Kong FA Cup.

Eastern After over a decade at Kitchee, Lam signed with fellow Hong Kong Premier League club Eastern on 1 July 2018.

R&F On 13 January 2020, Lam terminated his contract with Eastern and signed with rivals R&F. The contract is for a half year, with a clause for an automatic extension after seven league appearances.

However, after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong in 2020, the 2019–20 season was suspended before he could trigger an extension. Thus, on 6 June 2020, Lam revealed that R&F had declined to renew his contract at the club.

Rangers On 10 September 2020, Rangers' Director of Football Philip Lee declared that Lam would return to the club as a player and a youth team coach. He added that Lam would sign a one-year contract and be given the captain's armband.

On 6 April 2024, Lam announced his retirement from professional football at the end of the 2023–24 season.

Sha Tin On 8 August 2026, Lam returned to top-flight and joined Sha Tin as a player-coach.

International career

On 5 March 2005, Lam made his international debut for Hong Kong in the Preliminary Competition of 2005 East Asian Football Championship against Mongolia.

On 1 June 2012, Lam scored the only goal in Hong Kong's friendly win against Singapore at the Hong Kong Stadium.

Career statistics

Club As of 6 December 2006

International

Honours Kitchee Hong Kong Premier League: 2014–15, 2016–17, 2017–18 Hong Kong First Division: 2010–11, 2011–12, 2013–14 Hong Kong Senior Shield: 2016–17 Hong Kong FA Cup: 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2017–18 Hong Kong Sapling Cup: 2017–18 Hong Kong League Cup: 2011–12, 2014–15, 2015–16

Rangers Hong Kong Sapling Cup: 2023–24