Player Type: DEFENDERS
Nationality: Singaporean
DOB/Age: 1 August 2000 (23)
Previous Clubs: Geylang International (2019-2021), Young Lions (2022-2023)
With an infectious energy and ability to whip in wicked crosses from the left, Harith has made himself a first-team regular since making his professional debut in 2019. He made 63 SPL appearances across the next four seasons for Geylang and Young Lions, establishing himself as one of the country’s finest young left-backs.
Harith is looking to bring that same fire to the Lion City Sailors, while leveraging the upped ante at the SPL’s only privatised club to propel his game to the next level.
He signed a two-year contract with the club following the completion of his National Service obligations in August 2023, and is set to be a handy addition to the Sailors in wide areas.
Nationality: Singaporean
DOB/Age: 31 July 2007 (16)
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.
Nationality: Australian
DOB/Age: 28 July 1992 (31)
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.
He primarily plays as a centre-back and is also capable of playing as a full-back on both sides. Aside from his well-timed tackles and ability to close spaces down quickly, he is also known for his ball-playing capabilities.
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.
Nationality: Spanish
DOB/Age: 21 November 1991 (32)
Previous Clubs: Real Betis C (2010-2011), Real Betis (2011-2013), Elche B (2013-2014), Cartagena (2014), San Roque (2014-2015), Villanovense (2015-2016), Caudal (2016-2017), Ceres-Negros (2017-2020), Lanzarote (2020), Nagaworld (2021-2022)
A vocal presence and a natural leader, Manuel Herrera López adds depth and stability to the Sailors’ backline alongside the likes of Lionel Tan and Hariss Harun.
Nicknamed Súper, the experienced centre-back started out in the youth team of Real Betis and played in the Spanish lower-divisions before coming to Southeast Asia, where he helped Philippines side Ceres-Negros to win three straight domestic titles between 2017 to 2019 and become ASEAN zone champions in the 2017 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup.
After spending the last two years in Cambodia with Nagaworld FC, Súper is relishing another opportunity to make his mark in Southeast Asian football.
Nationality: Singaporean
DOB/Age: 28 November 1992 (31)
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’ versatility makes him a quality acquisition for the Sailors ahead of the 2023 campaign. 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 one of the first names on the team sheet for the Singapore National Team. Chris is undoubtedly at the peak of his powers now, as he lines up for the Sailors’ charge for the Singapore Premier League title.
Nationality: Singaporean
DOB/Age: 8 September 2001 (22)
Previous Clubs: Young Lions (2020-2021)
A lanky defender with excellent physical attributes and is composed on the ball, Bill is highly-rated and has the potential to go far. First called up to train with Home United’s – the former iteration of the Sailors – first team in 2017 when he was three months shy of his 16th birthday, the youngster made his debut for the Protectors two years later.
After two seasons with Young Lions in 2020 and 2021, Bill – son of former Singapore international Bah Mamadou – impressed towards the tail-end of the 2022 season for the Sailors and is bent on carrying where he left off for this campaign.
Nationality: Singaporean
DOB/Age: 29 March 1998 (25)
Previous Clubs: Young Lions (2016-2019, 2021-2022)
A modern-day full-back who is aggressive in the tackle and excels in making forward runs to support the attack, Zulqarnaen is an asset at both ends of the pitch. Part of the Sailors’ squad in the club’s inaugural season in 2020, he returned to play for Young Lions for one and a half seasons where he furthered his development and is now a Singapore national team regular.
Now back as a Sailor and free from National Service obligations, Zulqarnaen is yearning to put in more consistent performances to make the right-back spot at the club his own.
Nationality: Singaporean
DOB/Age: 13 February 1997 (26)
Previous Clubs: Arion, Police Sports Association, Home United
It was watching her football-loving father play in matches with his friends that first sparked Munirah’s curiosity about the sport, a spark that was fuelled by children’s football programmes and grew into a bright flame that saw other sports like badminton pale in comparison.
The sturdy defender has gone on to play for the likes of Arion, Police Sports Association and Home United – the previous iteration of the Lion City Sailors – before finally playing a crucial role for the Sailors Women in a memorable unbeaten title-winning campaign in 2022.
Nationality: Singaporean
DOB/Age: 21 February 2003 (20)
Previous Clubs: South Avenue SC
Playing at the void deck with her brothers at the age of nine sparked Khairunnisa’s love for football, and she went on to represent Singapore at various age-group levels, and eventually earned a call up to the senior National Team.
She may be tiny in size, but she more than makes it up with her heart and grit on the pitch. An adept reader of the game, she executes her tackles both aggressively and effectively on the right side of defence.
As someone who juggles her school commitments and part-time work with football, Nisa is hoping that her sacrifices and perseverance pay off as she continues to cement herself as a first-team regular for club and country.
Nationality: Singaporean
DOB/Age: 20 December 2001 (22)
Previous Clubs: Aerion FC
Having finished top scorer with eight Pannas to help the Sailors win the inaugural FAS Women’s Panna Challenge in 2020, Syazwani is blessed with skill and ball control. But playing as a defender, she has since worked on adding a touch of steel to her game by becoming more aggressive in 1v1 situations and committing to challenges.
Inspired by her football-loving dad, Syazwani picked up the sport at the age of five and honed her skills at Admiralty CSC. Syazwani simply cannot live without football – she is often found either kicking the ball in her home or just juggling whenever she has some free time.
