Lion City Sailors defender Ho Wai Loon has joined Balestier Khalsa on loan till the end of the season.

The 27-year-old saw his season cruelly cut short last year after fracturing his ankle during training.

Wai Loon has since been working hard on his recovery, and the full-back is now ready to take to the field once again.

He will join the Tigers on loan for the rest of the season to regain his match fitness.

Sailors Chief Executive Chew Chun-Liang explained: “We are extremely pleased for Wai Loon that his recovery has gone smoothly, and he is now raring to go. We had a frank and open discussion with him over his future, and it was mutually agreed that he should go on loan in order to get more playing time under his belt.

“While Wai Loon has been out of action for a considerable amount of time, he has remained a popular and jovial member of the Sailors dressing room. The professionalism and fighting spirit he displayed to recover from his horrific injury is highly commendable.

“We wish Wai Loon all the best at Balestier, and look forward to him regaining his best form.”

Wai Loon expressed his excitement to be back on the pitch once again, and thanked the Sailors for agreeing to let him join Balestier, who are currently fifth in the Singapore Premier League (SPL).

“It has been a tough year for me, but I’m ready to put all that behind me and get back to doing what I love most – playing football,” Wai Loon said.

“I’m determined to return to the level I was before my injury, and the best way for me to do that is with regular football. That is why I decided on the best course of action for my career.

“I would also like to place on record my appreciation to the Sailors medical team for helping me overcome my injury.”

“I will continue to support the Sailors, and look forward to the team’s success in the coming campaign.”