Category: News
adidas and Lion City Sailors (LCS) kick-start Year Two of their three-year partnership with the launch of the club’s brand new 2026/27 Home and Away kits.
The new season’s jersey builds on the foundation from the partnership’s launch in 2025, bringing together the latest performance technologies from adidas and a new design language rooted in the club’s narrative, inspired by landmark achievements since their inception in 2020.
The new jerseys also feature a bespoke design created specifically for the club, moving beyond a standard template to celebrate the club’s unique identity.
Chen Ruiyuan, Country Manager of adidas Singapore, said: “We are proud to be entering year two of our partnership with Lion City Sailors. This season, we want to put the fans and community at the heart of our partnership, creating more opportunities to experience the game beyond the pitch, from fresh fanwear designs and access to meaningful moments that bring the Sailors and their supporters closer together. We are also committed to supporting the next generation of football through LCS’ youth ecosystem, combining their expertise in youth development with adidas’ football and product knowledge to create meaningful opportunities for young players to learn, develop and experience the game.”
The Sailors’ Journey
Every element of the 2026/27 kit collection is drawn from The Sailors’ Journey, a narrative that charts the club’s course with purpose – navigating tides, enduring storms, and steering toward greatness. Each match is treated as a voyage; each season an expedition that the Sailors command and return from with pride. The new jerseys are a testament to that journey and the evolution of both LCS and Singapore football: determined, dynamic, and dignified.
Stripes of Home: The new Home kit
For the 2026/27 season, the Home kit receives a cleaner, more prestigious look. The new design is anchored in white with a subtle stripe print across the fabric; a nod to the nautical theme of the new kit. This lends the jersey a timeless, understated authority that lets the crest and the players take centre stage.
The Course Ahead: The new Away kit
Where the Home kit is restrained, the Away kit is progressive and experimental. Wave patterns ripple across the chest, symbolising movement, momentum, and mastery over unpredictable waters. The kit is built on an oceanic blue base that reflects the club’s identity – deep, steady, and commanding. Subtle gold accents on the crest and sail motifs glide across the fabric as a nod to the club’s namesake and spirit.
Both kits are built on adidas’ AEROREADY technology, a high-performance fabric engineered to manage moisture in Singapore’s climate. Combined with side mesh inserts for enhanced airflow, the adidas AEROREADY kit is built to keep the Sailors feeling dry and comfortable, so they can focus on being the best version of themselves.
Hariss Harun, captain of the Lion City Sailors said: “Having played a full season in the 2025/26 kit and lifted the championship trophy while wearing it, the team is excited to wear the new 2026/27 kit on the pitch. The adidas AEROREADY technology has kept up with the demands of our training and matches, keeping us cool even in Singapore’s tropical climate. Knowing that we are wearing the same calibre of kit worn at the highest levels of the sport gives us real confidence to push ourselves on the pitch.”
Bringing fans closer to the action
A central goal in the partnership’s second year is a continued focus on bringing LCS fans closer to the club. Building on the ambitions set in 2025, adidas and LCS are working on a new season of fan and community engagement initiatives, from matchday experiences to community programmes, designed to deepen the connection between the Sailors and the fans who follow them. Further details on these plans will be announced in the coming months.
Fanwear
To commemorate the Sailors’ successes since its inception in 2020, fans can look forward to the addition of two new fanwear t-shirts. Both designs will build on the fanwear collection from 2025, offering two designs that are inspired by the Sailors’ Journey and their unwavering fans who stand by them as they navigate their next championship title.
Ole Allez Allez Tee
Bringing the iconic “Ole Allez Allez” chant to life, this tee celebrates the people, places and energy that make up the Sailors’ matchday experience. Look closer, and you’ll discover details that bring the Sailors’ world to life, from their club mascot, Helix, and the Training Centre to Aisyah from the Crew, and a hidden Helix signature tucked away on one of the lockers.
Varsity Tee
Giving Helix a fresh new look, the Varsity Tee reimagines the Lion City Sailors mascot in a bold collegiate-inspired design. With its classic varsity feel and unmistakable Sailors spirit, this tee is made for fans who want to wear their colours with pride, both on matchday and beyond.
A season of excellence, and more ahead
The new kits launch off the back of one of the most successful periods since the club’s inception. In the 2024/25 season, they achieved a domestic clean sweep, including the Community Shield. In that same season, they became the first Singaporean club to reach the final of a major Asian club competition, the AFC Champions League Two. The Sailors followed it up by retaining the Singapore Premier League (SPL) and Singapore Cup title for a second straight season.
With the new season underway, LCS will look to build on that momentum and continue their pursuit of excellence domestically and on the continental stage, with the 2026/27 kits designed to carry that ambition into every match.
Be the first to shop the new kits
The Home and Away kits, available in men’s and women’s sizes, start at $99 for adult sizes, with short- and long-sleeve options, and $75 for kids sizes. The fanwear t-shirts are available at $59.
To celebrate the launch, the first 100 adiClub members who purchase a jersey at participating adidas stores will receive a complimentary SPL Champions Badge, which is available via heat press in stores. While stocks last.
The Home and Away kits will be available at selected adidas retail stores, adidas.com.sg/lion_city_sailors, the adidas app, the official adidas and LCS Shopee store, weston.com.sg, at stadiums on Sailors’ home match days, and selected retail partners and concept stores islandwide.
Long-sleeve variants of both kits will be exclusively available at adidas and Weston stores, while fanwear will be exclusively available at adidas stores.
Keep a lookout for more exclusive designs dropping in the upcoming seasons.
For more updates and details, follow adidas Singapore @adidasSG on Instagram and Facebook, and Lion City Sailors @lioncitysailors.fc on Instagram.
Store availability from 2 September onwards:
- adidas Brand Centre Orchard
- adidas Jewel Changi Airport
- adidas Marina Bay Sands
- adidas VivoCity Performance (L1)
- Weston Corp Jewel Changi Airport
- Weston Corp 313@Somerset
- Weston Corp Queensway Shopping Centre (L3)
Club Statement: Jesús Casas
The Lion City Sailors have parted ways with Head Coach Jesús Casas.
In the interim, Assistant Coach Varo Moreno will take charge of the Sailors’ first team until further notice.
The Lion City Sailors’ match schedule for the 2026/27 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) Two Group Stage has been confirmed, with all six matches to be played on Thursday nights.
Jesús Casas’s men will kick off their Group F campaign with a home game against Thai League 1 side BG Pathum United on 17 September, before travelling to Hong Kong to face Tai Po FC at Mong Kok Stadium on 15 October.
A double-header against Adelaide United then beckons, with an away day at Coopers Stadium on 29 October, before the Sailors play hosts to the A-League powerhouse a week later on 5 November.
The Sailors will then jet off to Thailand to play BG Pathum away at the True BG Stadium on 26 November, before wrapping up the group stage with a home game against Tai Po on 3 December.
All three of the Sailors’ home ACL Two group-stage fixtures will be played at the Jalan Besar Stadium and are scheduled to kick off at 6.00pm SGT.
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The Lion City Sailors will face opposition from Australia, Thailand and Hong Kong in the group stage of the 2026/27 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) Two competition.
The Sailors were drawn into Group F in the East Region following the Official Group Stage Draw held in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday afternoon (18 August).
They will come up against A-League powerhouse Adelaide United, Thai League 1 side BG Pathum United, and reigning Hong Kong FA Cup winners Tai Po FC as they look to mount another strong campaign on the continental stage.
The draw meant the Sailors will play a Thai team for a third straight season in the ACL Two, after facing Port FC in 2024/25 and Bangkok United in 2025/26.
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The 2026/27 tournament will retain last season’s format, with 32 teams divided equally between the West and East regions. The eight groups will each feature four teams, who will play one another home and away between 16 September and 3 December.
The top two sides from each group will advance to the Round of 16 in February 2027, with the tournament culminating in a one-off final on 15 May.
The Sailors have experienced contrasting fortunes in the past two editions of the ACL Two.
In 2024/25, they captured the imagination of the region by reaching the final, becoming the first Singaporean club to contest the showpiece of a major Asian club competition.
Their campaign last season, however, fell short of their lofty standards.
Drawn in a fiercely contested all-Southeast Asian group, the Sailors remained in contention until the final matchday and finished with 10 points — the same number they accumulated when topping their group the previous season. An inferior head-to-head record ultimately saw them edged out by Bangkok United for the second qualification spot.
“The ACL Two is a very tough competition with many strong teams fighting to win it. As a club, our core memory of this competition is no longer about having reached the final in 2024/25, but how we failed to make it out of the group stage in 2025/26,” said Sailors Executive Director Bruce Liang.
“In preparation for 2026/27 and beyond, we’ve strengthened significantly and we’re determined to go much further this new season.
“We’re a club from Singapore and we’re determined to deliver performances that bring joy and pride to the nation.”
Lion City Sailors midfielder Jonan Tan will continue his development in Europe after securing a season-long loan move to Croatian second-tier side NK Dugopolje for the 2026/27 campaign.
Based near the coastal city of Split, Dugopolje finished fourth in the 12-team Prva NL last season and will be targeting promotion to Croatia’s top flight in the coming campaign.
The move puts the 20-year-old in line to become the first Singaporean footballer to play professionally in Croatia, marking another milestone in his promising journey since emerging from the Sailors’ Elite Academy.
Jonan was among the first scholars selected for the Sailors’ Elite Development Programme when it was launched in 2020. After progressing through the Academy ranks, he made his senior debut in a league encounter against Tanjong Pagar United in March 2023 at the age of just 16 years, seven months and 28 days to become the club’s third-youngest debutant.
He subsequently took up the Lion City Sailors Early Enlistment Bond, which enables selected Academy trainees to enlist for National Service (NS) after completing their secondary education. By fulfilling their military obligations by the age of 19, these players are afforded a longer uninterrupted runway to pursue professional football.
After completing his NS commitments in January 2025, Jonan moved to Portugal, where he turned out for Estrela da Amadora and FC Vizela in the Liga Revelação Under-23 competition during the 2025/26 season.
(Photo: FC Vizela)
Jonan, who received his first call-up to the Singapore senior national team in October 2025, then joined Dugopolje for a two-week trial in early May. His technical quality, deft touches, and versatility impressed the Croatian outfit enough to earn him a season-long loan move.
Dugopolje president Mario Smodlaka said, “Jonan joined us on trial at a time when our focus was largely on trying to secure promotion to the First League, but he still stood out with the quality he showed. His versatility and speed in the final third are exactly what we need.
“He is an exciting player who can operate in several positions, and the fact that he is under 21 is also a big plus for us. I hope he can show his best qualities here and open the door to a fruitful relationship between Dugopolje and the Sailors.”
Jonan is currently recovering from an injury but hopes to return in time to feature in the 2026/27 Prva NL season, which kicks off on 22 August, and play his part in Dugopolje’s pursuit of a maiden promotion to the top flight.
(Photo: NK Dugopolje)
“It has always been my dream to play professionally overseas, and I’m delighted to be joining a club and football environment that knows how to develop young players,” said the Sailors Academy graduate. “I want to thank everyone who made this move possible, and I’ll do everything I can to repay the club’s faith in me.
“I’ve already been here for a few weeks and am gradually adjusting to the tempo of the game. The training sessions have been of a really high quality, and I cannot wait to help the team achieve our goal of winning promotion.”
Jonan remains firmly in the Sailors’ long-term plans, having signed a professional contract with the club until 2029. His latest move also marks another significant step for the Sailors’ Elite Academy, which is one of only four in Southeast Asia to have been awarded Two-Star Academy status by the Asian Football Confederation under its Elite Youth Scheme.
The Lion City Sailors have strengthened their goalkeeping ranks with the signing of Brazilian shot-stopper Victor Aznar from Spanish side Cádiz CF on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.
The 23-year-old arrives in Singapore to add further quality and competition to the Sailors’ goalkeeping department as the club gears up for another demanding campaign across multiple competitions.
Standing at 1.92m, Victor is known for his sharp reflexes, excellent positioning and ability to close down spaces quickly — qualities that have marked him out as a promising young goalkeeper in Spanish football.
Victor began his footballing journey in the academy of Brazilian giants Corinthians before continuing his development in Italy with Hellas Verona’s youth setup. He subsequently moved to Cádiz, where he made more than 100 appearances for the club’s B and first teams, including 36 in LaLiga 2.
Victor was also named on the Cádiz first-team bench on five occasions during the 2023/24 LaLiga season.
The Brazilian enjoyed a breakthrough 2025/26 campaign as he established himself as Cádiz’s first-choice goalkeeper, recording nine clean sheets and 106 saves in 34 appearances.
His performances included a shutout in a 1-0 victory over eventual promotion winners Málaga CF and earned him the prestigious Manuel Jiménez Trophy, an accolade organised by Radio Cádiz Cadena SER to recognise the club’s most consistent performer of the season.
Driven by a desire to step out of his comfort zone and continue improving, Victor is relishing the opportunity to begin a new chapter in Asia with the Sailors.
“It’s a huge honour to be joining this ambitious club that has big dreams of becoming one of Asia’s top clubs,” said Victor. “After the Sailors came calling, I began researching the club, and everything I found was fascinating, from the Training Centre to reaching an AFC Champions League Two final just last year.
“I spent five beautiful years in Cádiz, but it’s time for me to take my career to the next level, and I believe this is the best place for me to develop my game. I know we have two other top goalkeepers in this team, but I’m here to add value, push myself every day and help the team achieve success in international competitions.”
Head Coach Jesús Casas welcomed Victor’s arrival, and believes the added competition will raise standards across the goalkeeping department.
“Victor is a goalkeeper with strong fundamentals and excellent potential,” said the Spaniard. “His hunger and high level of professionalism are qualities that we look for.
“It is crucial for any successful team to have a competitive goalkeeping department. The players must push each other every day to learn, improve and maintain high standards. That competition will make us stronger and drive everyone to perform at their best throughout the season.”
Victor’s arrival further underlines the Sailors’ commitment to assembling a squad capable of challenging for honours on multiple fronts, including in the AFC Champions League Two and ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup.
The Lion City Sailors are delighted to announce the signing of former Liverpool youngster Bobby Adekanye on a two-year contract – adding pace, flair, and proven European experience to the squad ahead of the upcoming season.
A dynamic left-footed forward who can operate on the right wing or as a second striker, the 27-year-old brings explosiveness and creativity in the final third. Renowned for his dribbling and ability to take on defenders one-on-one, Bobby’s direct running, agility, and knack for navigating tight spaces will add a fresh dimension to the Sailors’ attack.
Bobby honed his craft at some of Europe’s most prestigious academies, having developed within the youth systems of Ajax Amsterdam, FC Barcelona, and Liverpool. During his time with the Reds, he featured regularly at Under-18 and Under-23 level, representing the club in competitions such as the UEFA Youth League and Premier League 2.
He subsequently gained valuable senior experience across Europe, playing in Italy’s Serie A with Lazio and Spain’s LaLiga with Cádiz CF, while also featuring in the UEFA Europa League.
The Nigerian-born attacker, who represented the Netherlands up to Under-20 level, has also amassed close to 90 appearances in the Dutch Eredivisie, underlining his pedigree at the highest levels of European football.
Bobby arrives in Singapore after spending the past one-and-a-half seasons in Turkey, and is relishing the opportunity to embrace a new challenge in Asia.
“Honestly, I didn’t know too much about Singapore before this, but after speaking to the club and learning about its vision and ambitions, it immediately felt like the right place for me,” said Bobby, who also received offers from clubs in Asia and Europe, including the Netherlands.
“The club was very sincere about bringing me over, and the project they presented was very exciting. I’ve had many interesting experiences throughout my career, and I hope to draw on them to help this team challenge for every trophy and become one of the top clubs in the region.
“I’m a direct player who tries to bring joy to the fans through my style of play, and I can’t wait to show that on the pitch for the Sailors.”
Sailors Director of Football Luka Lalić welcomed Bobby’s arrival, highlighting the attacker’s quality and experience as valuable additions to the team.
“Bobby brings excellent technical quality and valuable experience from some of Europe’s top footballing environments. His unpredictability and ability to beat opponents one-on-one will give us something different in attack,” said Luka.
“At 27, he is at an excellent age where he combines maturity and experience with hunger and ambition, and we believe he will make a strong impact on the team.”
Bobby’s arrival further strengthens the Sailors’ squad as the club prepares for a demanding campaign across domestic and regional competitions, while continuing to bring in players capable of elevating performances and exciting supporters.
The Lion City Sailors have bolstered their midfield with the signing of French midfielder Giovanni Haag on a two-year contract.
The 26-year-old arrives with considerable European experience, bringing steel, physicality, and composure to the Sailors’ engine room. Standing at 1.87m, Giovanni offers a commanding presence both in the air and on the ground, with his wide passing range, astute reading of the game, and ability to drive forward from midfield among his key qualities.
A former France Under-19 international, Giovanni has amassed more than 100 appearances in France’s Ligue 2 across three clubs, while also featuring close to 30 times in Germany’s 2. Bundesliga, underlining his reliability and ability to perform at a high level.
Of his 116 Ligue 2 appearances, 53 came for boyhood club Nancy, where he made his professional debut in 2018. He also went on to represent Rodez AF and Red Star FC in the same division.
Giovanni moved to Germany to join Fortuna Düsseldorf in August 2024, scoring twice as the club finished sixth in the 2. Bundesliga. He returned to France on loan with Red Star last season, featuring in 27 of a possible 31 league matches and helping the Parisian club finish fourth, just four points shy of automatic promotion to Ligue 1.
“Giovanni is exactly the profile we were looking for in midfield,” said Sailors Director of Football Luka Lalić. “He is an aggressive, intelligent and technically-sound number six who reads the game well, wins duels and is comfortable progressing the ball forward.
“He has built solid experience in competitive European leagues, and we believe he will bring the stability, balance and competition we need in midfield.”
Motivated by the opportunity to experience a new style of football and continue developing his game, Giovanni expressed his excitement at embarking on a new chapter with the Sailors.
“I’m really hungry to test myself, and after my discussions with the club, I feel this is an exciting project with big ambitions,” said Giovanni. “This team has achieved a lot over the past few years, but there remains a strong vision and desire to achieve even more and create further history for the club in Singapore.
“I’m a very competitive player who loves having the ball. I’m looking forward to showing my strengths, helping the team play good football and achieving our objectives on the continental stage.”
The Lion City Sailors are pleased to announce the signing of towering Croatian forward Antonio Mance on a two-year contract as they strengthen their attacking ranks ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Standing at 1.90m, the 30-year-old adds a commanding physical presence to the Sailors’ frontline, along with sharp goalscoring instincts and the ability to hold up the ball and bring teammates into play.
Antonio arrives with a wealth of international experience, having built an extensive career across seven countries — Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia, France, Hungary, Germany and Qatar — and tested himself in a variety of competitive environments. His résumé includes appearances in Germany’s 2. Bundesliga, France’s Ligue 1 and the UEFA Europa League qualifying rounds.
At international level, Antonio has represented Croatia at both Under-19 and Under-20 level.
Notably, he scored eight goals in 19 UEFA Europa League qualifying appearances for three different clubs between 2016 and 2019. These included a remarkable four-goal haul across two legs against Dutch giants Feyenoord, which helped Slovak side AS Trenčín secure a shock 5-1 aggregate victory in the third qualifying round in August 2018.
Antonio subsequently earned a move to French top-flight side FC Nantes the following January, before joining Hungarian side Zalaegerszeg for the 2023/24 season, where he recorded 15 goals and eight assists in 29 appearances to finish as the league’s second-highest scorer.
Antonio spent the past two seasons in Qatar with Umm Salal SC, where he continued to demonstrate his goalscoring qualities by contributing 26 goals and nine assists across 53 appearances.
An adaptable individual with considerable experience of playing abroad, Antonio is excited to begin the latest chapter of his career in Singapore, and hopes to make his experience count for the Sailors.
“I’m very happy to join Lion City Sailors and be part of this ambitious project,” he said. “I’ve played in many countries and leagues, so I’m looking forward to bringing my experience here, helping the team, and adding positive energy to the dressing room.
“Most importantly, I want to score goals, contribute to the team’s success and make our fans happy. I know this club has ambitions to achieve something big in the AFC Champions League Two, and I’m excited to help the team push towards that objective.”
Sailors Head Coach Jesús Casas welcomed Mance’s arrival, and highlighted the qualities the Croatian will bring to the side.
“Antonio is a complete centre-forward; he’s two-footed and very strong in the air,” said the Spaniard. “His physical attributes, excellent movement inside the box and ability to link up with his teammates will be key to the style of play we want to develop.”
Jesús also emphasised the value of assembling a competitive and complementary group of forwards as the Sailors prepare to challenge on multiple fronts.
“Next season we’ll be facing different types of opponents and defensive systems in the ACL Two and the Shopee Cup, so having depth in this area will provide us with a range of options in key matches,” he said.
“What’s more, we have different types of forwards who can complement each other. Competition will also be fierce for places in every position, and that will drive us to improve.”
The Lion City Sailors are delighted to announce the signing of former French Ligue 1 forward Matthias Phaëton from Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia, as the club continues to strengthen its squad ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The 26-year-old has signed a three-year contract and arrives in Singapore with a reputation for explosive pace, direct attacking play, and clinical finishing — qualities that will add another dimension to the Sailors’ frontline as the club prepares for a demanding campaign across domestic and continental competitions.
Notably, Matthias turned down an offer from Turkish side Bursaspor in favour of joining the Sailors, underlining his belief in the club’s vision and ambitions.
“From the first conversations with the Sailors, I could feel the ambition and the project they are building here,” said Matthias. “The club has big dreams and is doing everything possible to push the boundaries and take football in this country to the next level. It’s a challenge that really interests me, and I’m excited to create history in Singapore.”
Matthias spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Swiss Super League side FC Zürich, where he impressed with eight goals in 27 appearances. Before joining CSKA Sofia in 2023, he established himself in France, making close to 90 appearances in Ligue 2, while also featuring four times in Ligue 1 for Guingamp.
On the international stage, Matthias has earned 34 caps and scored 12 goals for Guadeloupe, representing and scoring for the Caribbean nation at three editions of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Earlier in his career, he also represented France at Under-17 level, highlighting the pedigree that has shaped his development.
Comfortable playing both on the left wing and as a central striker, the 1.85m Matthias provides the Sailors with greater attacking versatility, while adding speed, physicality and a proven goal threat in the final third.
“Matthias is a player we’ve been following closely, and we’re delighted that he has decided to join us despite receiving other offers from Europe,” said Sailors Head Coach Jesús Casas. “He brings valuable experience from European football and key qualities to the style of play we want to build.
“Most importantly, he has the ambition and determination to contribute to what we’re building here. We believe he’ll settle in well to life in Singapore and make a real impact in our attack.”
Matthias is relishing the challenge ahead as the Sailors target improved performances in the AFC Champions League Two and ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup.
“I know the expectations at this club are very high. We have to go out and try to win every game, while also producing strong performances in Asian competitions,” he said. “I enjoy that kind of challenge, and I’ll do everything I can to help take this club to another level in the region.”
