Player Type: MIDFIELDERS
Nationality: Singaporean
DOB/Age: 25 April 1998 (25)
Previous Clubs: Young Lions (2016-2018), Tanjong Pagar United (2021-2022)
Rusyaidi made his professional debut in 2016, in the same year he won the TNP Dollah Kassim Award. He returned from National Service obligations with a bang, ending 2022 as one of the best performers at a Tanjong Pagar side that punched above their weight in the Singapore Premier League.
A robust and all-action midfielder who never shirks from a challenge, the tenacious Rusyaidi adds steel to the Sailors’ engine room. The former Singapore Under-23 international is also reliable from set-pieces, and he now has the perfect platform at the Sailors to take his game to a whole new level.
Nationality: Singaporean
DOB/Age: 2 February 2002 (21)
Previous Clubs: Geylang International (2019-2020), Young Lions (2021-2022)
Qayyum displayed plenty of promise for the Young Lions in the 2022 Singapore Premier League season, the versatile left-footer featuring 25 times for the team across all competitions, playing in a variety of positions – from full-back to winger and even as an auxiliary striker – and scoring two goals in the process.
Adding depth to the Sailors’ flanks, Qayyum is targeting sturdy performances at the Bishan Stadium to launch his bid to represent the nation at the SEA Games and Asian Games later this year.
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Nationality: Singaporean
DOB/Age: 14 October 2003 (20)
Previous Clubs: Arion FA
Venetia may be shy in nature, but turns into a domineering and assertive figure once she crosses the white line.
She started playing football at four years of age, joining her three older brothers at the JSSL Academy, playing alongside boys before the academy launched a girls’ programme some four years later.
With strong family backing – her father is a recreational player, and her mom is fervently supportive of the siblings’ commitment to football – Venetia played under the books of Arion FA before earning a call up to the senior Lionesses squad, representing the nation at a couple of SEA Games.
On the pitch, the central midfielder exhibits her superb technical abilities on the ball. Off it, she has a musical streak as she can play both the guitar and piano.
Nationality: Canadian
DOB/Age: 29 October 2004 (19)
Previous Clubs: ANZA Singapore
One of the youngest players in the squad, Madison only turns 19 this October, but already displays an air of maturity and assurance every time she is on the pitch. She played an influential role in the Sailors’ 2022 WPL title-winning season, starring with her forceful runs from midfield and scored six goals to finish as the team’s third highest-scorer.
The Canadian who has resided in Singapore her whole life, started playing the game at the age of five and went on to represent ANZA for a number of years.
A shrewd midfield operator who excels in both defensive duties and attacking responsibilities, Madison is looking to further hone her skills as she looks to achieve her aim of receiving a scholarship to play Division 1 football in a US university in the near future.
Nationality: Singaporean
DOB/Age: 23 April 1992 (31)
Previous Clubs: Home United, Woodlands Wellington
A bit of a sports fanatic who dallied with badminton and track and field, Hui Xin gave football a go with friends when in primary school and was hooked by the camaraderie and team dynamics of football.
The sport took her on a journey of highs and lows that featured a Direct Schools Admission (DSA) entry into Victoria Junior College, stints with Home United – the previous iteration of the Lion City Sailors – and Woodlands Wellington.
A midfield enforcer who possesses superb playmaking abilities, Hui Xin is a real leader in this young Sailors side and her years of experience comes in handy to help guide the rising talents of the Singapore women’s game.
Nationality: German
DOB/Age: 12 August 1991 (32)
Previous Clubs: Warriors FC, VfL Bochum 1848, SG Lütgendortmund
Julia lives and breathes football.
The midfielder who will turn 31 in August 2022 started playing football on the streets of Germany against boys before embracing a more formal setting in a club as a 12-year-old – still pitting herself against boys.
Off the pitch, football remains a central feature for Julia who has chosen a career in sports management and business development for German giants Borussia Dortmund – the very club that inspired her initial involvement in the sport.
It was Dortmund’s expansion into Asia that brought Julia to Singapore, and she brought her experience from VfL Bochum 1848 and SG Lütgendortmund to Warriors FC before signing up with the Sailors – where she featured in a hatful of games in a remarkable unbeaten title-winning season in 2022.
Nationality: Singaporean
DOB/Age: 16 December 1998 (25)
Previous Clubs: Young Lions (2015-2018), Home United (2019), Young Lions (2020-2021)
An elegant midfield playmaker who always seems to have an extra yard of space on the ball and has the vision to produce defence-splitting passes, Hami has long been viewed as one of the most accomplished local midfielders since making his professional debut in 2016. At just age 24, he already has more than 100 professional club appearances under his belt and is now going into his ninth season in the Singapore Premier League.
Hami enjoyed an excellent 2019 season with Home United – the former iteration of the Sailors – scoring the decisive penalty to help the club win the Community Shield, and also netting a long-range scorcher on his AFC Cup debut. Hami has since kicked on to be a regular in the Singapore national team and has the potential to be a lynchpin in the Sailors’ engine room.
Nationality: Singaporean
DOB/Age: 14 July 1994 (29)
Previous Clubs: Young Lions (2012-2015), Hougang United (2016-2017, 2019-2020), Home United (2017-2018), Kedah Darul Aman (2021)
Anu is one of the finest defensive midfielders in the country, adding some much-needed steel to the Sailors engine room. He joined the Sailors in 2022 after a good season north of the Causeway with Kedah Darul Aman, where he was a key member of the squad that helped the club finish second in the Malaysia Super League behind the all-conquering Johor Darul Ta’zim.
Anu also previously helped Home United – the former iteration of the Sailors – to be crowned AFC Asean Zone champions in 2018. If required, the 2016 S.League (now Singapore Premier League) Young Player of the Year also has the ability to play in the heart of defence.
Nationality: Brazilian
DOB/Age: 3 May 1994 (29)
Previous Clubs: Benfica (2012-13), Rio Ave (2012-13 – loan, 2013-2015, 2018-2021), Benfica (2015-2018), Kayserispor (2015-2016 – loan), América Mineiro (2016 – loan), Panetolikos (2017-2018 – loan)
Diego made the headlines as the Singapore Premier League’s first-ever multi-million dollar signing back in 2021 and had backed it up in the past couple of seasons with his marvellous performances.
Having come through the Benfica youth system, Diego went on to establish himself in the Portuguese league as a goalscoring midfielder with superb technical ability and an eye for a killer pass. The Brazilian’s creativity and ability to pull the strings from the middle of the park makes him a vital cog in the Sailors’ engine room.
