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.