Player Type: DEFENDERS

Safuwan

Nationality: Singaporean

DOB/Age: 22 September 1991 (34)

Previous Clubs: Young Lions (2009-2011), LionsXII (2012-2015), Melbourne City (loan – 2015), PDRM (2016-17), Sri Pahang (2018-2019), Selangor (2019-2022, 2023-2025), Negeri Sembilan (2023)

Widely regarded as one of Southeast Asia’s finest and most dependable defenders, Safuwan brings leadership, composure, and a wealth of experience to the Sailors’ backline.

The 33-year-old made history in 2015 as the first Singaporean to play in Australia’s A-League with Melbourne City, before cementing his reputation across the Causeway with a number of clubs in the Malaysia Super League over the past decade.

Safuwan joins the Sailors on loan from Selangor FC, as the club builds on a 2024/25 season that saw them swept everything possible in domestic football and became the first Singaporean club to reach the final of a major Asian club competition in the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two.

The move marks a homecoming of sorts for Safuwan, who began his professional career in 2009 with the Young Lions, before joining the LionsXII in 2012, where he won the Malaysia Super League and the Malaysia FA Cup. He then moved abroad to join Melbourne City on loan, before plying his trade in Malaysia with the likes of PDRM, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor.

Diogo

Nationality: Portuguese

DOB/Age: 27 July 2003 (22)

Previous Clubs: F.C. Famalicão (2021-2025)

A modern-day full-back with lightning speed, aggression, and impressive dead-ball abilities, Diogo has emerged as one of the fans’ favourite after an impressive initial loan spell in the second half of the 2024/25 season in which he recorded 11 assists and a goal in 21 appearances across all competitions.

Diogo progressed through the ranks to represent his boyhood club Famalicão in the Under-15, Under-17, Under-19, and Under-23 national competitions, captaining nearly every age group he has played in.

Having signed a permanent five-year contract in the off-season, Diogo is keen to carry where he left off and continue to play a integral role in the Sailors’ journey.

Akram

Nationality: Singaporean

DOB/Age: 21 November 2000 (25)

Previous Clubs: Young Lions (2019-2020), Tanjong Pagar United (2022-2025)

Athletic, strong in the tackle, and versatile across multiple positions, Akram came onboard in the second half of the 2024/25 season and provided depth for a side that went on to sweep everything possible in domestic football.

Akram has come a long way since making his professional debut for Young Lion in 2019, with a key part of his development coming at Tanjong Pagar where he demonstrated remarkable maturity as club captain to lead both younger teammates and seasoned players with confidence.

After making 13 appearances last season, he will be looking to stake a strong claim for a regular starting spot in 2025/26.

Tyan

Nationality: Singaporean

DOB/Age: 19 April 2009 (16)

Previous Club: Mattar Sailors

Coming through the Sailors’ Girls Academy youth pipeline since she was ten, Tyan played a vital role in the Mattar Sailors’ 2023 WNL run, where they finished as first runners-up. She has since been promoted to the WPL team in 2024.

Despite her youth, Tyan has established herself as an integral presence in the Sailors’ backline, and is known for her speed and aggression. She looks up to the senior centre-backs in the team such as Umairah Hamdan and Syazwan Ruzi, and hopes to learn as much from them as possible.

Toni

Nationality: Croatian

DOB/Age: 6 November 1993 (32)

Previous Clubs: SD Huesca (2019-2020 – loan), Aris Thessaloniki (2020-21), FC Cartagena (2021 – loan, 2022-23), Real Salt Lake (2021), Albacete Balompié (2023-2024)

The nickname El Sicario – a Spanish term that translates to “The Hitman” in English – says it all about Toni, who takes no prisoners with his no-holds barred playing style at the heart of defence.

He brings significant experience from the Spanish second-tier, having amassed a century of appearances in LaLiga 2. The majority of these came in FC Cartagena colours, while he was also part of SD Huesca’s 2019/20 title-winning side that earned promotion to LaLiga the following season.

In a storied playing career to date, Toni has also played in top-tier competitions such as USA’s Major League Soccer with Real Salt Lake and the UEFA Europa League with Greek club Aris Thessaloniki, in addition to being capped once at the international level with Croatia.

Strong in the air and equally comfortable playing the ball out of defence, Toni enjoyed a dream first season with the Sailors in 2024/25 – making 52 appearances and was deservedly named in the AIA SPL Team of the Year.

Tia

Nationality: Singaporean

DOB/Age: 31 July 2007 (18)

Previous Club: Mattar Sailors

Tia started playing football when she was in primary Three and fell in love with the Beautiful Game, hooked on the thrills of defending against opposition forwards. She is the second of three sisters who are all part of Lion City Sailors Girls’ Academy.

Mainly deployed as a right-back, Tia is blessed with skill, pace and is aggressive when it comes to defending 1v1 situations and committing to challenges.

Inspired by French footballer Sakina Karchoui, Tia wants to improve her game and play at a higher level in the future.

Bailey

Nationality: Australian

DOB/Age: 28 July 1992 (33)

Previous Clubs: Preston North End (2010-2017), Bristol City (2017-2020), Sunderland (2020 – loan, 2020-2023), Rotherham United (2023 – loan)

Bailey is an Australian international, who was a part of Australia’s 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign in Qatar that saw the Socceroos qualify from a group that featured France, Denmark and Tunisia, before falling to Lionel Messi’s Argentina, the eventual tournament winners, in the Round of 16.

An old-school robust centre-back who wears on his heart on his sleeve, he is undoubtedly one of the leading figures of the team and is a perfect role model for the younger players in the squad.

Bailey joined the Sailors in the SPL mid-season transfer window after departing Sunderland, where he was a cult hero of the Black Cats’ faithful during his three-and-a-half years on Wearside. Those years saw Sunderland enjoy much success, winning their first trophy since 1973 as they lifted the 2020/21 Papa John’s Trophy (EFL) at Wembley, before earning promotion into the English second-tier – the Sky Bet Championship – in 2022.

Bailey enjoyed an outstanding 2024/25 campaign with the Sailors, with his rock-solid performances earning him a deserved nomination for the AIA SPL Player of the Year award.

Chris

Nationality: Singaporean

DOB/Age: 28 November 1992 (33)

Previous Clubs: Tampines Rovers (2014, 2016, 2022), LionsXII (2015), Young Lions (2016), Home United (2017-2018), Geylang International (2019-2021)

Comfortable with either foot and on either flank, Chris’s versatility makes him a valuable asset for the Sailors. The self-professed late bloomer has come a long way since making his name in local football reality TV series, FirstXI, in 2014.

He flourished for LionsXII in the 2015 Malaysia Super League, grew into a dependable first-team player over the years for various clubs, before a standout 2022 campaign for Tampines saw him become a Singapore National Team regular.

Making over 80 appearances for the Sailors since joining in 2023, Chris continues to play a big role in the club with his experience and unwavering commitment to the cause.