Nationality: Portuguese

DOB/Age: 22 March 1998 (26)

Previous Clubs: FC Porto B (2016-2019), Troyes (2019-2022), FC Paços de Ferreira (2021-2022 – loan, 2022-2023)

Rui is a defensive midfielder who spent a large portion of his youth career progressing through the ranks at FC Porto, featuring in their Under-15, U17 and U19 sides.

He was promoted to Porto’s B side to play in Liga Portugal 2, the second tier of Portuguese football, before moving permanently to French Ligue 2 side Troyes. After two seasons there, the midfielder moved back to play in the Portuguese top tier, the Primeira Liga, on loan with FC Paços de Ferreira before the deal was made permanent.

Rui previously captained Portugal’s national age-group sides on a regular basis and was called up till the U20 level. In 2017, he put up a solid display throughout the UEFA European Under-19 Championship, earning him a place in the Team of the Tournament.

Nationality: Curaçaoan

DOB/Age: 5 September 1996 (27)

Previous Clubs: FC Groningen (2012-2014), Ajax Amsterdam (2014-2017), Willem II (2015 – loan), FC Utrecht (2016-2017 – loan), K.V. Oostende (2017-2019), Changchun Yatai (2019-2021), Sheffield United (2020 – loan), Guangzhou R&F (2020 – loan), Red Star Belgrade (2021-2022), FC Emmen (2022-2023)

Richairo primarily plays as a centre-forward. Born in the Netherlands, he represented them at youth level from Under-18 to Under-21 before switching to represent Curaçao at senior level.

Richi has featured for the likes of Ajax Amsterdam, Red Star Belgrade and Sheffield United. Having played in top European leagues such as the Eredivisie and the English Premier League, he is widely known for his poacher instincts and composure in front of goal.

He was part of the Red Star Belgrade side that won the Serbian league and cup double in the 2021/2022 season. He had previously featured in the UEFA Champions League with Ajax and also in the UEFA Europa League with both Ajax and Red Star.

Nationality: Australian

DOB/Age: 28 July 1992 (31)

Previous Clubs: Preston North End (2010-2017), Bristol City (2017-2020), Sunderland (2020 – loan, 2020-2023), Rotherham United (2023 – loan)

Bailey is an Australian international, who was a part of Australia’s 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign in Qatar that saw the Socceroos qualify from a group that featured France, Denmark and Tunisia, before falling to Lionel Messi’s Argentina, the eventual tournament winners, in the Round of 16.

He primarily plays as a centre-back and is also capable of playing as a full-back on both sides. Aside from his well-timed tackles and ability to close spaces down quickly, he is also known for his ball-playing capabilities.

Bailey joined the Sailors in the SPL mid-season transfer window after departing Sunderland, where he was a cult hero of the Black Cats’ faithful during his three-and-a-half years on Wearside. Those years saw Sunderland enjoy much success, winning their first trophy since 1973 as they lifted the 2020/21 Papa John’s Trophy (EFL) at Wembley, before earning promotion into the English second-tier – the Sky Bet Championship – in 2022.

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: 16 June 2001 (22)

Previous Clubs: Young Lions (2019-2022)

Rasaq adds depth to the Sailors’ burgeoning options in attack for the 2023 season, offering the team a different option with his tireless running. Having shown potential from a young age, representing Singapore at various youth levels and scoring in his first year as a full-fledged professional in 2019, Rasaq’s career was curtailed slightly due to National Service but he has since returned strongly.

The stocky forward sparkled towards the end of 2022, scoring five goals across two competitions for the Young Lions and is keen to pick up where he left off for the Sailors in 2023.

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: 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.