Nationality: Singaporean

DOB/Age: 29 April 1991 (35)

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 rise has been well documented in recent years and the proverbial late bloomer is not ready to stop just yet.

A nippy forward with an uncanny eye for goal, he has contributed much to the Sailors’ rise since joining in 2023 – on the back of a brilliant 2022 season where he inspired Hougang United to win their first-ever trophy in the Singapore Cup.

He enjoyed a remarkable 2024/25 campaign with the club, scoring a career-high 27 goals – including eight strikes in the AFC Champions League Two which meant he finished the tournament’s second-highest goalscorer. No local players have scored more in the SPL in the past two seasons, and Shawal is ready to plunder more in 2026/27.