There were offers from Europe and Asia, as well as the opportunity to remain in Thailand. But for Ilhan Fandi, no option made more sense, or resonated more strongly, than returning home to sign for the Lion City Sailors.

“What persuaded me to join was how persistent the club was in trying to bring me here. I told my agent that I’d never experienced this level of interest before,” shared Ilhan. “The Sailors have big ambitions, and so do I, so we felt this was the best fit.

“Another big factor was Singapore’s qualification for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup. The tournament is six months away, and I want to go into it in the best possible condition and with match sharpness. The Sailors kept pushing, and I eventually made a decision that I’m really happy with.”

Ilhan’s sense of responsibility towards the national team is clear. With the Lions set to feature at the Asian Cup next January, he is determined to be firing on all cylinders when the tournament comes around.

Photo: Football Association of Singapore 

“This is an important stage of my career where I need to be playing more regularly. As a striker, it’s important to build momentum,” emphasised Ilhan, who scored the winner against Hong Kong at Kai Tak Stadium to help Singapore qualify for the tournament on merit for the first time.

“I experienced it quite often last season, when I would have a good game but not play in the next one, and that made it difficult to maintain my momentum. Hopefully, I can regain that rhythm at the Sailors, enjoy my football and be ready for both club and country.”

Returning to Singapore after spells in Belgium and Thailand, Ilhan is aware that some may question whether coming home represents a step down. He is, however, determined to prove otherwise.

“I have to say this: don’t forget that the Lion City Sailors reached the ACL Two final just last year,” said Ilhan, who turns 24 in November.

“The club has amazing facilities that even quite a few European clubs do not have, as well as a highly competitive environment with many top-class players. I couldn’t ask for anything better.

“For me, this is never a step backwards, and I know it’s up to me to prove that. People can say whatever they want, but I’m just going to keep being Ilhan by staying positive and focusing on what matters now: bringing joy to this club and to Singapore football.”

And now, Ilhan returns home battle-hardened and enriched by his experiences abroad, with plenty still to prove after an eventful few years.

At the end of 2022, he secured a dream move to Europe, signing for Belgian side KMSK Deinze after a breakout season in which he was crowned the Singapore Premier League (SPL) Young Player of the Year and helped Albirex Niigata (S) win the league title.

However, his move was cruelly interrupted before it had even begun, as he suffered a complete tear of his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in an ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Championship match against Vietnam that December, which sidelined him for nine months.

He had to wait until January 2024 to make his European debut in the Belgian second tier. After his contract expired that June, he moved to Thailand, where he represented BG Pathum United and Buriram United over the following two seasons.

Playing time was difficult to come by at two of Thailand’s leading clubs, particularly at the all-conquering Buriram. His task was made even harder by an ankle injury sustained while making history with the Lions in that pivotal match against Hong Kong last November.

He did not return to action until April and has made only six appearances totalling 184 minutes in 2026, although he made his mark by scoring after coming on for a 15-minute cameo against China in early June. 

Photo: Football Association of Singapore 

Through those setbacks, Ilhan has retained the cheerful and upbeat personality that has been his hallmark since his early days.

“I’m quite a laid-back person and very positive, both in football and in life. I’ve always believed that if you do your best, God will take care of the rest,” he shared.

“Of course, I went through many difficult moments abroad, but there were also a lot of life lessons that I could take from those experiences.

“I didn’t play much at Buriram, but I always gave 100 per cent in training and pushed myself to the limit against some top players. I kept faith in my abilities, and whenever I was called upon for my club or the national team, I tried to show up, give the team energy and help as much as I could.”

Not one to dwell on the past, Ilhan is now looking forward to linking up with several familiar faces from the national team, not least Lions captain and regular roommate Hariss Harun.

“I hope he chooses to room with me here too, because with the national team he always wants to be with me. No, I’m just joking!” quipped Ilhan, displaying the cheeky side that has made him a popular teammate wherever he has played.

“We’ve been together since I first joined the national team and have built a really good friendship. It’s amazing to have him as a mentor because he has taught me many valuable lessons, both on and off the pitch.

“He always keeps me grounded and reminds me to stay humble. If I ever start heading down the wrong path, he puts me back on track.

“It’s the same with Song (Uiyoung). I asked both of them for their thoughts about joining the Sailors, and they really convinced me that this is the right place for me.”

Ilhan is also eager to build bonds with his new teammates away from the pitch, helped by a sport he picked up only recently.

“What happens off the pitch is equally important in a team, and I’m looking forward to playing golf with players like Bailey (Wright) and Lenny (Lennart Thy),” he said.

“That will help me settle in, and I want to have fun and enjoy plenty of success with my teammates here.”

Fittingly, Ilhan will wear the number 17 shirt at the Sailors, succeeding club legend Maxime Lestienne while continuing the legacy of his father, Singapore football icon Fandi Ahmad.

“I’ve always said that everything I do is for my parents. The sacrifices they’ve made for me have been incredible, so the number 17 is for my dad,” he explained.

“I know the number carries a lot of significance here because of Maxime, but I like the pressure. It drives me to perform better.

“Maxime is not only an amazing player, but an even better person and a really humble guy. I spoke to him a few times before I moved to Belgium, and he was the one who told me it would be a good place for me. I’m really happy to inherit his number, and hopefully I’ll do well and make him proud too.”

Ilhan will now turn his attention to the upcoming ASEAN Hyundai Cup with the national team. Beyond that, he is already looking forward to beginning life under Sailors Head Coach Jesús Casas, and helping the club put Singapore football firmly on the continental map.

“Success here means achieving what the club has set out to do. Reaching the ACL Two final last season set the standard, and I think that has to be the benchmark now,” said Ilhan.

“Obviously, last season did not go the way the club expected, but we have to come back stronger this season and push ourselves, especially in the Shopee Cup and ACL Two.

“It’ll be business time when I link up with the team. I want to make our fans proud and put Singapore on the map.”