Nationality: Singaporean

DOB/Age: 22 August 1988 (35)

Previous Clubs: Tanjong Pagar United (2011, 2012-2013), Home United (2012, 2018-2019), Geylang International (2014-2015), Warriors FC (2016-2017)

Well-known as a speed merchant, Hafiz forged himself a reputation as a dangerous and tricky winger in his younger days. He has since done well to transform himself into a steady and committed full-back, who is capable of putting in crunching tackles as well as whipping in dangerous crosses from his flank.

Now the senior statesman at the Sailors, Hafiz is still going strong and enjoys the opportunity to impart his knowledge to the younger ones at the club.

Nationality: Singaporean

DOB/Age: 21 February 1997 (26)

Previous Clubs: Young Lions (2016-2019), Tanjong Pagar United (2021-2022)

A reliable custodian who has astute command of his area and possesses the agility to pull off stunning point-blank saves, Zharfan joined the Sailors in 2023 after a breakout 2022 campaign for Tanjong Pagar United that saw him make the highest numbers of saves (122) across the league.

Overcoming a childhood heart condition to make his professional debut in 2016, he has come a long way to become one of the country’s up-and-coming goalkeepers. The confident Zharfan has ambitions of being Singapore’s no. 1 and knows that solid performances for the Sailors provide the platform for him to attain that lofty goal.

Nationality: Singaporean

DOB/Age: 28 November 1992 (31)

Previous Clubs: Tampines Rovers (2014, 2016, 2022), LionsXII (2015), Young Lions (2016), Home United (2017-2018), Geylang International (2019-2021)

Comfortable with either foot and on either flank, Chris’ versatility makes him a quality acquisition for the Sailors ahead of the 2023 campaign. The self-professed late bloomer has come a long way since making his name in local football reality TV series, FirstXI, in 2014.

He flourished for LionsXII in the 2015 Malaysia Super League, grew into a dependable first-team player over the years for various clubs, before a standout 2022 campaign for Tampines saw him become one of the first names on the team sheet for the Singapore National Team. Chris is undoubtedly at the peak of his powers now, as he lines up for the Sailors’ charge for the Singapore Premier League title.

Nationality: Japanese

DOB/Age: 23 December 1999 (24)

Previous Clubs: Albirex Niigata (S) (2022)

The club’s acquisition of Kodai in the off-season captured the imagination of many a Sailors’ fan, and rightly so. He was hugely influential in Albirex’s 2022 Singapore Premier League title triumph, finishing as the league’s second-highest scorer with 33 goals and 10 assists in 28 appearances.

The lethal forward will look to not only replicate similar levels in a Sailors’ shirt, but also turn in more all-round performances at the Bishan Stadium in 2023. With the supporting cast of Diego Lopes and Maxime Lestienne providing ammunition, the reigning SPL Player of the Year is relishing the opportunity to spearhead the Sailors’ bid for success at the domestic and regional levels.

Nationality: Singaporean

DOB/Age: 29 April 1991 (32)

Previous Clubs: Geylang International (2014-2019), Hougang United (2020-2022)

A rare talent who was nurtured in and plucked from Singapore’s amateur leagues, Shawal’s stock has risen in recent years – and sharply so.

Shawal is undoubtedly one of Singapore’s top forwards at the moment. In 2022 he combined flair with trickery and a keen eye for goal, scoring a career-high 11 Singapore Premier League goals to inspire Hougang United to their first-ever trophy last season – the Singapore Cup.

The challenge to return the Sailors to the top of Singapore football heap and the Group Stage of the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) for the second time was one that Shawal could not turn down.

Nationality: Belgian

DOB/Age: 17 June 1992 (31)

Previous Clubs: Mouscron (2008-2009), Brugge (2010-2014), Genoa (2014-2015 – loan), PSV (2015-2016 – loan), Rubin Kazan (2016-2018), Málaga (2018 – loan), Standard Liège (2018-2022)

A direct winger blessed with a turn of pace, an eye for a pass, and composure in tight situations, Maxime showed his class in his debut season with the Sailors in 2022 as he ended the campaign as the SPL’s top assist-maker with 23, on top of several scintillating and game-changing performances.

Capped at all Belgian youth levels, as part of the country’s Golden Generation alongside the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Dries Mertens and Romelu Lukaku, Maxime has proven pedigree at the highest level of the game.

Being a part of PSV Eindhoven’s 2015/16 UCL squad that qualified for the Round of 16 at the expense of Manchester United and made several appearances in European top-tier competitions for various clubs, he is clearly a player who raises the bar of those who plays alongside him.

Nationality: Singaporean 

DOB/Age: 19 November 1990 (33) 

Previous Clubs: Young Lions (2007-2011), LionsXII (2012-2013), Johor Darul Ta’zim (2014-2021), Home United (2017 – loan)

As one of Singapore’s most successful footballers of all time, Hariss is a household name who was brought in to be the engine of the Sailors squad. The all-conquering midfielder joined the Sailors in 2021 after a successful eight-year spell at Malaysia Super League (MSL) side Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), where he led them to six league titles, as well as to a historic AFC Cup victory in 2015.

A natural leader who can play in the middle of the park as well as in central defence, the Lions skipper is tasked with guiding the exciting young talents at the club, as he looks to usher in a new era of success for the Sailors.

Nationality: Singaporean

DOB/Age: 13 April 2001 (22)

Previous Clubs: Young Lions (2019-2020)

A modern full-back who is as capable of supporting the attack as he is at defending, Nur Adam is among one of Singapore’s most exciting youth prospects. While the 2018 Dollah Kassim award winner’s talent has never been in doubt, it is Nur Adam’s excellent mental strength and will to succeed that sets him apart from his peers.

He showcased his potential by winning the SPL Young Player of the Year award in the Sailors 2021’s title-winning season and is determined to kick on to be a bona fide football star.

Nationality: Brazilian

DOB/Age: 3 May 1994 (29)

Previous Clubs: Benfica (2012-13), Rio Ave (2012-13 – loan, 2013-2015, 2018-2021), Benfica (2015-2018), Kayserispor (2015-2016 – loan), América Mineiro (2016 – loan), Panetolikos (2017-2018 – loan)

Diego made the headlines as the Singapore Premier League’s first-ever multi-million dollar signing back in 2021 and had backed it up in the past couple of seasons with his marvellous performances.

Having come through the Benfica youth system, Diego went on to establish himself in the Portuguese league as a goalscoring midfielder with superb technical ability and an eye for a killer pass. The Brazilian’s creativity and ability to pull the strings from the middle of the park makes him a vital cog in the Sailors’ engine room.