Player Type: DEFENDERS

Ryhan

Nationality: Singaporean

DOB/Age: 15 February 2000 (26)

Previous Clubs: Tampines Rovers (2018), Warriors FC (2019), Young Lions (2020-2022), Chiangmai FC (2022-2023), BG Pathum United (2023-2024), Albirex Niigata (S) (2024-2025), FK Riteriai (2025), Kanchanaburi Power FC (2025-2026)

Known for his dynamism down the flanks, strong one-on-one defending, and relentless work rate, Ryhan adds quality and depth to the Sailors’ defensive ranks following his move from Thai League 1 side Kanchanaburi Power in the off-season.

The energetic full-back returns home after gaining valuable overseas experience in both Thailand’s top flight and Lithuania over the past few years. Last season, he made 25 appearances for Kanchanaburi in Thai League 1, contributing two goals and three assists.

A Singapore national team regular, Ryhan also featured in the 2023/24 AFC Champions League with fellow Thai side BG Pathum United.

Hugo

Nationality: Brazilian

DOB/Age: 4 January 1995 (31)

Previous Clubs: São Paulo (2015-2018), Mallorca B (loan – 2015-2016), Granada B (loan – 2016-2017), Atlético Goianiense (loan – 2018), FC Famalicão (2018-2020), Varzim S.C. (loan – 2019-2020), Estoril (2020-2021), Rio Ave (2021-2023), Moreirense (loan – 2022-2023), Suwon FC (2023), Muaither SC (2023-2024), Công An Hà Nội FC (2024-2026)

Standing at an imposing 1.87m, Hugo is a quality addition to the Sailors with his physicality, aerial dominance and composure in the backline.

A former Brazil Under-20 international, Hugo joined the Sailors in the off-season following a successful three-year spell with Vietnamese side Công An Hà Nội FC, where he played an integral role in one of the country’s most successful teams in recent years. During his time there, the club lifted three trophies across two seasons — including the 2025/26 V.League 1 title — and also finished runners-up in the 2024/25 ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup.

Hugo also brings a wealth of overseas experience, having plied his trade in Spain, Portugal, South Korea and Qatar. Remarkably, he won three consecutive Liga Portugal 2 titles between 2020 and 2023 with three different clubs — Estoril, Rio Ave, and Moreirense — and has amassed more than 100 appearances in Portugal’s second tier.

Jorge

Nationality: Georgian

DOB/Age: 18 March 2005 (21)

Previous Clubs: Rio Ave (2023-2026), Académica de Coimbra (loan – 2025-2026)

Comfortable operating as both a traditional full-back and an advanced wing-back, Karse brings pace, dynamism and tactical intelligence to the Sailors’ defensive ranks. His attacking qualities will also add another dimension in the wide areas as the club navigates a demanding campaign across multiple competitions.

A product of Rio Ave’s esteemed academy, Karse progressed through the club’s youth ranks before making three appearances in the Portuguese top flight. He continued his development last season during a loan spell with Liga 3 outfit Académica de Coimbra, where he featured eight times.

Born in Portugal and eligible to represent both Portugal and Georgia, Karse has represented the latter up to the Under-21 level. Most recently, he made four appearances in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers between September and November 2025.

Diogo

Nationality: Portuguese

DOB/Age: 27 July 2003 (23)

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

A dynamic wide defender who combines elite defensive reliability with heavy involvement in midfield build-up and the attacking phases, Diogo has emerged as a vital player for the Sailors.

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, he signed a permanent five-year contract last summer – signifying the club’s faith in his abilities and his desire to propel the Sailors towards the ambition of becoming one of Asia’s top clubs.

Diogo came from a strong footballing foundation in Portugal. He 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.

Tyan

Nationality: Singaporean

DOB/Age: 19 April 2009 (17)

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 (33)

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 has been a beacon of excellence for the Sailors since joining in February 2024. Named in the SPL Team of the Year for the past two seasons, he deservedly earned a contract extension and will be looking to do more of the same in the 2026/27 campaign.

 

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)

An old-school robust centre-back who wears on his heart on his sleeve, Bailey 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 2023 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.

He has been a sterling success since arriving in Singapore, being named in the SPL Team of the Year for the past two seasons with his rock-solid defensive displays and consistent goal threat.

Bailey also has 29 caps for the Australia national team – he was part of the Socceroos’ 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign in Qatar that saw them 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.