Author: Lion City Sailors
When Bart Ramselaar arrived in sunny Singapore in February last year, expectations for the Dutch playmaker were sky-high.
A former Eredivisie winner with PSV Eindhoven, he was tipped to take the Singapore Premier League (SPL) by storm, and his solid early-season form, which included scoring in the Sailors’ opening league game — a 4-1 win over Hougang United — suggested he would do just that.
But football rarely follows a straight script.
After being substituted with what looked like a minor hamstring problem during the Sailors’ 1-1 draw with Geylang International in June 2024, Bart returned to action against Balestier Khalsa just two weeks later. His comeback started brightly, as he opened the scoring with a beautifully controlled volley, but within a minute the injury flared up again, forcing him off the field.
“That injury came at a bad time,” recalled Bart, who had already racked up four goals and three assists in his first five league games. “I started the season well, scoring almost every game, and winning the Community Shield. It halted my momentum, but these things happen. I just stayed positive and fought even harder to come back.”
Bart’s positivity and determination paid off, as he went on to make a career-high 43 appearances in all competitions, in what was his most prolific campaign yet, finishing with 19 goals and 15 assists.
Indeed, he delivered when it mattered most, and played a pivotal role in the Sailors’ fairytale run to the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two final.
But his ACL Two campaign was not without its bumps. In just the Sailors’ second match of the competition, away against Persib Bandung, he was sent off for a dangerous tackle and had to sit out the next two group games.
While it was frustrating for Bart to be sidelined, he now looks back on the red card – the first of his career – with good humour.
“It was strange – I’d never been sent off before – and hopefully never again,” he said with a laugh.
But it was in the knockout rounds that Sailors fans saw Bart at his brilliant best. He tormented Muangthong United in the round of 16, set up Shawal Anuar for a crucial away goal at Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the quarter-finals, and then capped it off with one of the goals of the season against Sydney FC in the semi-finals.
Receiving the ball from Diogo Costa on the left flank, most inside the Jalan Besar Stadium expected Bart to whip in a cross. Instead, he unleashed a curling right-foot rocket into the top corner to send the home crowd into raptures.
“It was early in the game, so I thought, why not try it?” he recounted. “Only after the season ended did I realise how important it was. That goal played a big part in us reaching the final.”
Unsurprisingly, the Sailors’ exploits in the ACL Two caught the eye across the continent, and Bart believes this means many are now expecting them to deliver another strong showing in the competition this year.
“I believe this ACL Two run was one of the club’s biggest achievements,” he explained. “It changed perceptions of Singapore football, not just locally but across Asia. Nobody expected a Singapore team to compete like this, but now, we’re no longer the underdogs.”
Despite boasting an already decorated résumé that includes winning the Eredivisie and making three appearances for the Netherlands national team, Bart still ranks reaching the ACL Two final among the top five moments of his career.
And while he has played in the European Champions League against giants such as Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid, Bart insists that competing in Asia is no less enjoyable.
“The level is different, of course, but still good. In Europe, the pressure is higher – especially when you’re at Camp Nou in front of 100,000 people – but Asia has its own challenges. Different countries, stadiums, pitches, styles… I enjoy that just as much.”
Bart also shone on the domestic front, finishing as top scorer in the Singapore Cup with six goals, including the winner in the final against BG Tampines Rovers.
“Lifting the cup was a great feeling. We’d just lost the ACL Two final, so this was our shot at the treble. To be the match-winner made it extra special,” he said.
After a gruelling season, Bart recharged with family time in the Netherlands and a holiday in Greece, before heading to Thailand for the Sailors’ pre-season.
With high-profile players like Anderson Lopes and Tsiy Ndenge signing for the Sailors in the off-season, Bart believes the 11-day trip was key to building chemistry within the squad.
“We had good training sessions and useful friendly matches to see how we could complement each other. Off the pitch, we bonded a lot, and we even celebrated Diogo’s birthday together at a restaurant.”
Bart believes that unity will be vital for another hectic season ahead, and while the foreign signings may grab the headlines, he is equally keen to highlight the progress of the local core.
“To me, there’s no difference between local and foreign players. They’re all my teammates, and I’ll support them however I can. The local players have improved a lot, especially after the big games we played last year, and I’m excited to see them continue to grow.”
With the Community Shield against BG Tampines on Saturday (16 August) kicking off the Sailors’ season, Bart was clear about the team’s targets for the season.
“We want to win everything domestically again, starting with the Community Shield this week. We also want to go further in the Shopee Cup and ACL Two. Most importantly, we want to play good football.
“Just like last season, I believe this team can make history. If we perform well collectively, everyone will shine. We’re all driven to do it all again.”
For many young players, making their senior team debut against seasoned professionals can be an intimidating experience, with nerves understandably often present as they adjust to the pace of the senior game.
But 17-year-old Joshua Little defied that narrative, as he confidently took to the pitch on the final day of the 2024/25 Singapore Premier League (SPL) season in Sailors colours like a duck to water.
“Honestly, I didn’t feel nervous or pressured at all. I just went out there and played my game,” said the midfielder, who had previously come off the bench in a pre-season friendly against Johor Darul Ta’zim in April 2024.
“A big part of it was how no one expected anything from me, since I was still relatively unknown. But it wasn’t that big a deal to me because at the end of the day, it’s still football, and I treated it just like another game.”
Despite lining up against a well-established BG Tampines Rovers side that fielded several first-team regulars, Josh — one of four Sailors Academy products to feature that day — turned in a lively, high-energy performance on his SPL bow. He came close to scoring on a couple of occasions, only to be denied by a string of sharp saves from veteran goalkeeper Syazwan Buhari.
“There’s definitely a difference in terms of physicality and speed,” Josh acknowledged. “The position I was playing also required me to step up physically. But as long as you do what’s required, I don’t think the gap is that massive.”
Promotion to the senior squad
Just a couple of months on, Josh has taken the next step in his budding career with a well-earned promotion to the Sailors’ senior squad for the 2025/26 season.
Fresh from a championship-winning campaign with the Under-21s, the teenage midfielder is now focused on proving he belongs at the highest level.
“Now that I’m playing with players of a much higher calibre, I’ve had to shift my mentality,” he said. “Previously, the focus was on development, but now it’s about results and playing with purpose. I’ve got to adapt my style for the good of the team.”
A recent 11-day pre-season training camp in Thailand gave Josh his first taste of life as a full-fledged first-team player. And while the transition initially brought some nerves, his new teammates quickly helped him settle in.
“I was quite worried at the start because it was a completely new team, but everyone was really welcoming,” he shared. “There was no awkwardness at all, whether on or off the pitch.”
Off the field, Josh bonded with senior players over a few rounds of golf — one of his favourite pastimes — even impressing the likes of Bailey Wright and Lennart Thy with his swing.
He said, “I think I had the best opportunity you could get — playing with a great team and training under amazing coaches. I really couldn’t have asked for a better trip.”
Learning from the best
With the Sailors adding the likes of Safuwan Baharudin, Tsiy Ndenge and Anderson Lopes to an already star-studded squad, Josh is eager to seize the chance to learn from those who have been there and done that.
“It’s a great feeling. Training with players of this calibre is a privilege not many people get,” he elaborated. “The environment is competitive, but you learn so much from it. Right now, I’m just soaking everything in to grow my game.”
“I can feel myself improving by the day just by watching how the others approach training and matches. There’s something to learn from everyone.”
An attacking midfielder by trade, Josh is known for his ability to drive forward with the ball and dictate tempo in midfield. But this season, he will take on a new role as a defensive anchor under Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković — a change in position that will test his adaptability and tactical intelligence.
“I’m now focusing on becoming more defensively aware and composed on the ball in high-pressure areas,” he explained. “It’s definitely been different and a bit of a challenge, but I’m up for it. I want to experiment and see what I can do in this role.”
A footballing journey marked by resilience
Josh’s love for football began in Japan’s Saitama prefecture, where he was born to a Japanese mother and an Irish father. As a young boy, he would watch his father and older brother play recreational matches — a routine that planted the early seeds of passion.
His family relocated to Singapore when he was three, and Josh began his playing journey at Arion Football Academy, before joining Spanish Soccer Club Asia (SSCA) when he was eight. A move to the Junior Soccer School and League (JSSL) Singapore’s Academy soon followed after.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, several of Josh’s teammates made the switch to the then newly-formed Lion City Sailors Elite Academy. Encouraged by a friend, Josh followed suit, securing a trial with the Sailors’ Under-17 team in September 2021, and eventually earning a spot under then-head coach Luka Lalić.
“Luka played a massive part in my development — mentally, physically, and technically,” said Josh, who also spent 15 days training with Portuguese side S.C. Braga in 2022. “Other coaches such as Nuno (Pereira), Rodrigo (Costa) and Daan (van Oudheusden) have also helped me grow a lot, both as a player and a person.”
But Josh’s journey has not always been smooth.
“Transitioning between teams and constantly adapting to new environments took a toll mentally,” Josh admitted. “There were times I struggled to find my purpose in playing football. I even began to lose my love for the sport.”
Despite thoughts of giving it up, he simply could not walk away from something so central to his life. With support from his parents, he decided to stay the course.
“I knew I had to keep going. If I stopped showing up at the gym, I wouldn’t get stronger. If I stopped training on the pitch, I wouldn’t improve technically. Even on days when I didn’t feel like it, I just kept at it, and eventually, the love came back.”
That determination has defined Josh’s rise through the Sailors Academy’s ranks, and was key to the Under-21s’ dominant league triumph last season, with 19 wins from 24 games and a 15-point gap over second-placed Tanjong Pagar United.
“We had a really good team last year, and I looked forward to every game,” he said. “Even though it was a U21 league, it felt like a big achievement because of how young our team was.”
“The team spirit was incredible. We were all close, and I had some of my best memories playing alongside them.”
Another career highlight came when Josh travelled with the Sailors’ senior team for two Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two away matches — against Port FC in Thailand and Zhejiang Professional in China — in late 2024.
“I’ll never forget those trips,” he said. “Everything was more serious. Being in front of big crowds and on the bench for those games was a totally different experience. You could really see the jump in quality from SPL to the continental stage.”
Ready to punch above his weight
As the Sailors gear up for another packed season both locally and in Asia, Josh is embracing the competition and pressure that comes with fighting for a spot in the team.
“There’s pressure, of course, but that applies to everyone in the squad. If you’re not fighting for your place, you probably shouldn’t be there in the first place,” he said.
“For me, I just want to perform to the best of my ability. It’s a different experience being the youngest in the team, but every day I step on the pitch determined to be the best version of myself.”
A shining example of the Sailors Academy’s growing talent pipeline, Josh hopes his journey will inspire others chasing a similar dream.
“If you believe in yourself and put in the work, anything is possible,” he said. “There’s no luck involved, just discipline and consistency. Keep showing up, and eventually the results will come.”
The Lion City Sailors Women’s Team have bolstered their squad with the mid-season acquisitions of three players from Women’s Premier League (WPL) side Geylang International.
Centre-back Siti Nurerwadah Erwan, winger Wan Nashirah Mohammed, and forward Farah Nurzahirah have joined the Sailors as the team gears up for a crucial second half of the season — one that includes a push for a fourth consecutive WPL title, as well as another outing in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Champions League (AWCL) later this month.
With six national caps to her name, 20-year-old Nurerwadah (pictured below) – better known as “Wadah” – brings composure to the Sailors’ backline, coupled with a cultured range of passing from deep.
Also born in 2005, Nashirah adds a creative spark down the flanks. The left-footed winger is known for her dribbling and flair in the final third, and brings added versatility to Head Coach Daniel Ong’s attacking options.
The headline signing, however, is 21-year-old Farah, who currently leads the WPL scoring charts with 11 goals. The dynamic forward claimed the WPL Young Player of the Year award in 2024 after notching 16 goals for the Eagles and has already earned 10 international caps.
She was also part of the Singapore squad that featured in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers in Jordan in July.
“It’s a huge honour to join the Sailors and a big step up for me,” said Farah. “But I know I’ve got to step out of my comfort zone to improve as a player. I’ve heard how the training environment here helps players grow, and with the club’s ambitions in the AWCL, it was a no-brainer for me.
“I’m fortunate to already know a number of the players here from the national team, which has made the transition easier. Training has been intense, but I’m enjoying every bit of it. My goal is simple: to score as many goals as I can to help the team succeed in both the WPL and AWCL.”
Daniel is equally excited about the trio’s potential impact on the Sailors, as he explained, “They’ll give us greater depth in key areas. Wadah adds strength in central defence, Nashirah (pictured below) brings good link-up play in the attacking third, and Farah can operate anywhere across the front line. Her explosiveness and intelligent runs will be crucial in tight matches.”
In addition, the Sailors are set to welcome back Academy graduate Nur Ain Salleh, who will rejoin the squad for the upcoming AWCL qualifiers. The 15-year-old winger, currently based in Spain with Madrid CFF as part of her Unleash the Roar! (UTR) Overseas Scholarship, will feature in the regional competition before returning to Europe to continue her four-year development stint.
The Sailors have also de-registered six players for the remainder of the season. Among them are Yuvika Suresh, Seri Nurinsyirah, and Liyana Rickit, who are headed to the IMG Academy in Florida, USA, under the Unleash the Roar! (UTR) Overseas Scholarship programme.
Cara Chang and Priscille Le Helloco have left to pursue further studies abroad, while Nor Adriana Lim has been ruled out for the season after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in June.
The Lion City Sailors’ Singapore Premier League (SPL) title defence begins on 25 August as they take on Hougang United at Our Tampines Hub (OTH).
The fixtures for the 2025/26 SPL season were officially released by the Football Association of Singapore on Thursday (24 July) morning. The Sailors’ league opener comes hot on the heels of two major fixtures: the season-opening Community Shield against BG Tampines Rovers on 16 August, and the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup Group B opener away to Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) on 21 August.
Aleksandar Ranković’s men will then face Balestier Khalsa and Tanjong Pagar United on consecutive Sundays – 14 and 21 September – with both matches also taking place away from home.
The Sailors return to Bishan Stadium on Matchday Four to host Young Lions on Saturday, 18 October, before welcoming Albirex Niigata (S) the following Sunday (26 October) to complete their first five league fixtures.
With the SPL reverting to a triple round-robin format, the Sailors will play 21 league matches this season – a reduction from 32 last year.
Key fixtures include two away ties against BG Tampines Rovers on 11 January and 2 May, with the home leg set for 22 February at Bishan.
The Sailors will conclude their 2025/26 SPL campaign at home against Albirex on Sunday, 10 May.
The Sailors’ full SPL fixtures for the new season can be accessed here.
As the full-time whistle blew at the NHK Spring Mitsuzawa Stadium on 5 July, Anderson Lopes was overcome with emotion. He hugged every teammate, took a lap of honour, and paid tribute to the Yokohama F. Marinos fans who had supported him so fervently over the years.
The Brazilian striker had just slotted home a decisive 78th-minute penalty in the Yokohama derby — a fitting final act in what had been a fairytale chapter with one of Japan’s most storied clubs.
“To score in my last-ever game for the club, and for it to be the winning goal in a derby, was perfect. I just couldn’t hold back my tears,” said Anderson, who spoke through a translator.
View this post on Instagram
Over four prolific seasons with Yokohama, Anderson lifted the 2022 J1 League title and the 2023 Japanese Super Cup, reached the 2023/24 Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) final, and clinched back-to-back J1 League Golden Boots. His haul of 81 goals in 157 games made him the club’s second-highest scorer of all time, behind only the iconic Shunsuke Nakamura (85).
Unsurprisingly, Anderson became a cult hero at Yokohama, and fans turned up in droves at the airport to send him off when he left Japan for a new chapter in Singapore.
“I feel very touched by the love shown by the fans and I’ll never forget them,” he reflected. “Those four years at Yokohama were the best of my career. I still had two years left on my contract, but I knew I needed a new challenge, and I believe I’ve made the best decision for me and my family.”
That decision was to trade comfort for challenge, and make the bold move to join the Lion City Sailors in Singapore.
Lured by ambition
It takes something special to prise Anderson away from a comfortable and successful environment, but the Sailors’ ambition and drive did just that.
“Honestly, I didn’t know much about the Sailors or the Singapore Premier League (SPL), but the club showed me many good things, and I knew they were ACL Two finalists last season,” said Anderson, who had offers from clubs in China, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
“I’m someone who loves a challenge – that’s why I came here. Everyone has taken really good care of me since I arrived. It already feels like a family.”
A proven performer on Asia’s biggest stage
A challenge it may be, but Anderson thrives under pressure – especially on Asia’s biggest stages. Across three ACL campaigns, he has scored 18 goals and provided six assists in just 25 appearances.
Nine of those goals came in the most recent 2024/25 edition, including three goals across both legs of the Round of 16 tie against Chinese giants Shanghai Port. That tally saw him outscore the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Aleksandar Mitrović, and Ivan Toney – all proven names from Europe’s top leagues.
It is exactly this pedigree that the Sailors will lean on as they look to scale new heights in continental competition.
“The ACL is my favourite competition because you’re always playing against the best teams in Asia,” he said. “Now I’m playing in ACL Two with the Sailors, but that’s okay. I’ll still give my best to help the team. Hopefully we win the title and qualify for the Elite next season.”
From the favelas to the world
Despite having played in the top Asian leagues – Japan, South Korea, and China – and scoring 100 goals in J1, Anderson remains as hungry as ever. That relentless drive, he says, comes from his roots in Recife, one of Brazil’s oldest cities.
“Nothing comes easy for us Brazilians,” he said. “I’ve had to work extremely hard to get to where I am in my career. That’s why I never take anything for granted. I give more than 100 percent in training and matches to help my teammates.
“Sometimes the ball doesn’t fall for me, but my mentality stays strong. I always believe I’ll score.”
Ready to shoulder the weight
As one of the biggest signings in Sailors’ history – and with the eyes of the Singapore football fraternity firmly on him – Anderson is well aware of the expectations that come with the role.
But pressure? That does not faze him one bit.
“I know there’s a lot of attention on my transfer, but honestly I don’t feel that pressured,” he said. “I’m here to work hard, to be the best, and to achieve as much – or even more – than I did at Yokohama.
“I can’t promise how many goals I’ll score, but what I can promise is I’ll fight hard every game to help the club win trophies.”
The Lion City Sailors are delighted to announce the signing of prolific Brazilian striker Anderson Lopes from Japanese side Yokohama F. Marinos for an undisclosed fee, as the club continues its push to scale new heights both domestically and on the continental stage.
The 31-year-old has inked a three-year deal that will see him don Sailors colours through to the end of the 2027/28 Singapore Premier League (SPL) season.
Anderson arrives in Singapore with an outstanding pedigree and a reputation as one of Asia’s top strikers. He finished as the J1 League’s top scorer in back-to-back seasons (2023 and 2024), and was a key figure for Marinos since joining the club in 2022. He netted 11 goals in his debut campaign to help the side clinch the J1 League title, before lifting the Japanese Super Cup in 2023.
His impact extended to the Asian stage, where he played a starring role in Marinos’ historic run to the final of the 2023/24 AFC Champions League (ACL). The following season, he finished as the tournament’s second-highest scorer with nine goals — ahead of marquee names such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Aleksandar Mitrović, and Ivan Toney — underscoring his ability to shine against Asia’s elite.
The 1.85m forward has racked up 101 career goals in the J1 League across stints with Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, and Yokohama F. Marinos. His career also includes spells in K League 1 with FC Seoul and in the Chinese Super League with Wuhan FC, after beginning his professional journey in his native Brazil.
Known for his physicality, movement, aerial prowess and a venomous left foot, Anderson is expected to inject even more firepower into the Sailors’ frontline as the club embarks on a challenging season ahead — one that includes defending their domestic titles and mounting a serious challenge in the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup and the ACL Two.
“To reach 100 goals in a league as competitive as the J1 speaks volumes about his quality. But it’s not just about his goalscoring — Anderson is excellent at holding the ball up and just as capable of creating chances for his teammates. I’m confident he’ll be a tremendous asset to the team this season,” said Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković.
Sailors Executive Director Bruce Liang added, “The opportunity to sign a player of Anderson’s calibre was one we couldn’t pass up. He’s a proven match-winner with an elite mindset, and that’s reflected in his consistently outstanding performances at the highest level of Asian football. We’re excited to see what he’ll bring to the team.”
In a storybook ending to his time with Marinos, Anderson signed off with the winning penalty in the Yokohama Derby on 5 July — bowing out in perfect fashion after netting 81 goals in 157 matches across four seasons. Now, his sights are firmly set on helping the Sailors scale even greater heights on the continental stage.
“I’m thrilled to join the Sailors at such an exciting point in their journey. Their run to the ACL Two final last season really caught my attention, and I’ve been impressed by the club’s vision and ambition to elevate Singapore football,” said Anderson.
“My objectives are clear: I’m here to contribute, to score goals, to win trophies, and to help the team make a real impact in Asia.”
Tsiy Ndenge is not your typical modern-day footballer.
In an era where most athletes cultivate their online presence to connect with fans, the 28-year-old midfielder stands apart. His Instagram feed? Completely empty.
“I’m just a private person,” he said with a shrug. “I don’t like to speak or show off too much of my private life. That’s just how I am.”
That pretty much summed up the first interview with the Lion City Sailors’ latest signing – reserved, softly spoken, and a man who prefers action over words. His replies rarely stretched beyond a few sentences, but there was clarity and conviction in everything he shared.
That low-key persona, however, is a far cry from the version of Tsiy fans will soon come to know on the pitch – an all-action, box-to-box midfielder with the physicality, skill, and dynamism to drive his team forward in both defence and attack.
“I feel comfortable anywhere in the middle,” Tsiy said. “I like to get the ball from everywhere and dictate the game. I try to give everything for the team.”
That complete midfield package, along with his powerful strides and excellent close control, has drawn comparisons with the likes of Paul Pogba – a suggestion Tsiy downplays with typical humility.
“I’ve heard it a few times,” he admitted with a laugh. “Of course, in our position, Pogba and Yaya Touré are great examples. It’s nice to be compared to them, but honestly, it doesn’t mean a lot.”
What does matter to him is impact, and Tsiy has made plenty of that throughout a career shaped by perseverance, growth, and an unrelenting drive.
Born in Cologne to Cameroonian parents and raised in the nearby town of Erftstadt, Tsiy signed his first professional contract with Bundesliga giants Borussia Mönchengladbach at just 18. He represented Germany at Under-19 and Under-20 levels, sharing the pitch with now-established Bundesliga stars such as Maximilian Mittelstädt and Benjamin Henrichs.
A loan spell at Roda JC in the Eredivisie followed in 2017/18 – a challenging year where he came up against future Sailors teammates Bart Ramselaar and Lennart Thy.
“I had a nice time in Holland. Our team wasn’t so successful, but I learnt a lot,” he recalled. “I remember playing against Bart. It wasn’t so nice because PSV were dominant, but no problem.”
From there, Tsiy spent seven years in Swiss football, first with FC Luzern and then with Grasshopper Club Zürich, where he truly came into his own. A stunning long-range strike in just his third game sparked a comeback win over St. Gallen – a goal he still ranks as the best of his career.
More achievements followed. With 15 goals across three seasons for Grasshoppers and commanding midfield displays, Tsiy’s influence grew. His standout performance in a 1-0 win over eventual champions FC Basel last December – outplaying World Cup star Xherdan Shaqiri in the process – was another reminder of his quality.
“My stay in Switzerland was longer than expected. There were setbacks and injuries, but I met amazing people and developed a lot, both as a footballer and a person,” Tsiy, who was recently dubbed ‘the most underrated central midfielder in Europe’, shared. “And the birth of my daughter gave me even more motivation to perform.”
His consistent displays didn’t go unnoticed. Interest came from clubs like FC Cologne, Cagliari, and AEK Athens, but it was the Sailors’ approach that struck a chord.
“Of course there were offers in Europe. But after speaking to the club, I had a really good feeling,” he said. “The whole package – the infrastructure, the trust from the people here – I felt the most confident about this move.”
He revealed that Lennart had also offered him some insight before his move. “I spoke to Lennart, and it was all positive. So I decided to come here.”
Now settling in at Mattar, Tsiy is excited to be part of an ambitious Sailors squad aiming to build on their historic 2024/25 campaign.
“Everyone’s been really friendly – the players, the staff. You can see everyone’s focused and happy at the same time, which creates a great atmosphere,” he said.
“I know the club had a successful season last year, and I’m here to help us go even further. I want to give everything, enjoy my football, and show the fans what I can do.”
The Lion City Sailors are delighted to announce the signing of German-Cameroonian midfielder Tsiy Ndenge on a two-year deal, as the club continues to strengthen its squad for a busy 2025/26 campaign on both the domestic and continental fronts.
The 28-year-old joins after departing Swiss Super League side Grasshopper Club Zürich, and will add steel and stature to the Sailors’ midfield. Standing at 1.92m, Tsiy brings with him top-tier European experience and a commanding presence in the centre of the park.
Highly regarded for his technical ability and physicality, Tsiy was on the radar of several top European clubs – including Cagliari, FC Cologne, FC Copenhagen and AEK Athens – following the expiry of his contract with Grasshoppers on 30 June. He was ultimately swayed by the Sailors’ ambition and vision, and chose Singapore as the stage for his next chapter.
“I’ve had opportunities to continue in Europe, but what drew me to the Lion City Sailors was the clear ambition of the club and the project underway here,” said Tsiy. “It’s an exciting challenge and I like this feeling of helping a team achieve things that are not done before and create more history. I’m going to give everything to help this club succeed.”
A product of Borussia Mönchengladbach’s youth system, Tsiy spent four years with the club’s reserve side in Germany before making a move to the Netherlands with a loan spell at Eredivisie outfit Roda JC for the 2017/18 season, where he featured 32 times in the Dutch top flight.
He then made the switch to Swiss football, joining FC Luzern and spending four seasons there, before signing for Grasshopper Club Zürich in 2022. Over the next three years, Tsiy made 91 appearances for the Zurich side, emerging as one of their most influential players.
It was during his time at Grasshoppers that he truly came into his own, drawing plaudits for his athleticism, tactical intelligence and powerful box-to-box presence. His leadership qualities also came to the fore, as he wore the captain’s armband on several occasions over the past two seasons.
Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković hailed the signing: “Tsiy is a player of top calibre, who brings composure and power to the team and gives us a different dimension in midfield. His presence will not only help us control games, but also help elevate the standards of the players around him.”
Sailors Executive Director Bruce Liang added, “Tsiy was on the radar of some big clubs in Europe, so to have him choose the Sailors is a huge statement. What has impressed us is his attitude and hunger to win despite having already played at such a high level, and these are qualities that will rub off on the team.”
Having started training with the Sailors this week, Tsiy is already looking forward to help the club push for success in multiple competitions – including the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two, the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup, and the defence of their Singapore Premier League (SPL) crown.
“I’ve already watched some of the club’s games last season and spoke to people in and around the team,” said Tsiy, who has been capped for Germany at Under-20 level. “There’s already a strong foundation here with some great players, and I’m here to help us take that next step in Asia.”
The Lion City Sailors will kick off their 2025/26 ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup group-stage campaign with a tantalising Causeway derby against Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) on 21 August at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.
The ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) has officially unveiled the fixtures for the region’s premier club competition, with the Sailors handed a blockbuster start against the 11-time Malaysia Super League champions. The tie comes hot on the heels of the Sailors’ season-opening Singapore Community Shield against BG Tampines Rovers on 16 August, and just before their first Singapore Premier League (SPL) fixture the following weekend.
While the Sailors and JDT have crossed paths in several friendlies over the years, this will mark the first time the two sides meet in a competitive fixture, and it’s shaping up to be a fiery showdown that promises to capture the imagination of fans on both sides of the Causeway.
The Sailors will then face another stern test away from home in their second Group B encounter, when they take on 2024/25 Thai League 1 runners-up Bangkok United at the BG Stadium on 4 December. That will be followed by a home tie at Bishan Stadium on 17 December against either Laos’ Ezra FC or Myanmar’s Shan United – with the two sides set to contest a qualifying play-off.
Captain Hariss Harun and his teammates will resume their campaign in the new year with a trip to Vietnam to face reigning V.League 1 champions Nam Định FC at Thiên Trường Stadium on 29 January 2026, before closing out the group stage on 5 February with another home fixture against Cambodian Premier League winners PKR Svay Rieng.
The Sailors’ two home ties will be held at Bishan Stadium, as they look to secure a top-two finish in Group B to progress to the two-legged semi-finals, slated for 6 and 13 May 2026. The final – also played over two legs – is scheduled for 20 and 27 May.
View this post on Instagram
The Lion City Sailors are pleased to announce the signing of Croatian goalkeeper Ivan Sušak, as part of a strategic effort to reinforce the squad ahead of a pivotal 2025/26 campaign.
The Sailors are aiming to defend their Singapore Premier League (SPL) title and make deeper inroads on the continental stage in competitions such as the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup and the AFC Champions League Two.
Standing at 2.03m, the 27-year-old joins on a two-year contract from Croatian top-tier side Slaven Belupo, where he built a reputation as one of the SuperSport HNL’s top shot-stoppers. He amassed 89 appearances over four seasons, with his most impressive coming in the recent 2024/25 campaign.
That season, Sušak kept 10 clean sheets in 35 matches across all competitions — including a standout performance in a goalless draw against Ivan Rakitić’s HNK Hajduk Split in January 2025 — and even captained Slaven on several occasions. His leadership and performances earned him a place in the HNL Team of the Season, as Slaven finished fifth — their best league finish in 12 years.
Sušak arrives with proven credentials, combining a commanding aerial presence with consistent shot-stopping ability. His addition reflects the Sailors’ intent to build on a landmark season in which they swept all three domestic trophies — the Community Shield, SPL, and Singapore Cup — and made history as the first Singaporean side to reach the final of a major Asian club competition, the ACL Two.
“Ivan brings with him a wealth of experience from a competitive European league, and his calm leadership and technical quality will be a valuable asset, particularly on the continental stage where margins are fine and every detail matters,” said Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković.
Echoing that sentiment, Sailors Executive Director Bruce Liang said: “We’re always looking at how we can evolve and improve as a club, and after careful consideration, we saw value in bringing in a top foreign goalkeeper to further elevate the standards across the squad.
“Ivan checks all the boxes of a modern goalkeeper — presence, distribution, leadership. But most importantly, his professionalism and mentality will drive healthy competition within our goalkeeping unit and help push everyone to new heights. We’ve got talented local goalkeepers in our ranks, and we believe this move will benefit the department as a whole.”
Having already linked up with his new teammates since pre-season began on 7 July, Sušak is raring to go in this new chapter of his career.
“The ambition and infrastructure of this club were clear from the start and made the decision easy for me,” said Sušak. “I know the target here is to become one of Asia’s top clubs. I’m proud to be part of this project, and I will give everything to help the team take that next step.”
