Nationality: Singaporean

DOB/Age: 14 July 1990 (33)

Previous Clubs: Young Lions (2008-2011), LionsXII (2012-2015), Tampines Rovers (2016-2017), Nongbua Pitchaya (2018-2019), Trat FC (2020), Samut Prakan City (2020-2021), Hougang United (2021)

An excellent shot-stopper with cat-like reflexes and comfortable with the ball at his feet, Izwan is most fondly remembered for pulling off 18 saves in one incredible match. He kept Asian giants Japan at bay to help Singapore secure a memorable 0-0 draw in Saitama in a June 2015 FIFA World Cup Qualifier.

The 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup winner has gone from strength to strength in his career, playing in Thailand, one of Southeast Asia’s toughest leagues, where he represented three clubs – Nongbua Pitchaya, Trat and Samut Prakan from 2018 to 2021.

Izwan came onboard the Sailors in 2022 and is currently working his way back to fitness after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury at the end of last year.

Nationality: Singaporean

DOB/Age: 9 March 1998 (25)

Previous Clubs: Young Lions (2016-2019)

A promising shot-stopper with immense physical attributes, Adib is an exciting goalkeeping talent to look out for in the future. His potential has not gone unnoticed, and he was called up to the Singapore national team for their games against Qatar and Yemen in 2019. Adib spent the first four years of his professional career with the Young Lions, before signing for the Sailors in 2020.

Having made his Sailors bow in a gala friendly against Borussia Dortmund in end-2022, Adib is now motivated and pushing hard to stake a claim for the spot in between the sticks for the Sailors.

Nationality: Singaporean

DOB/Age: 21 February 1997 (26)

Previous Clubs: Young Lions (2016-2019), Tanjong Pagar United (2021-2022)

A reliable custodian who has astute command of his area and possesses the agility to pull off stunning point-blank saves, Zharfan joined the Sailors in 2023 after a breakout 2022 campaign for Tanjong Pagar United that saw him make the highest numbers of saves (122) across the league.

Overcoming a childhood heart condition to make his professional debut in 2016, he has come a long way to become one of the country’s up-and-coming goalkeepers. The confident Zharfan has ambitions of being Singapore’s no. 1 and knows that solid performances for the Sailors provide the platform for him to attain that lofty goal.

Nationality: Brazilian

DOB/Age: 18 December 1992 (31)

Previous Clubs: Goiás Esporte Clube (2010-2015), Associação Atlética Aparecidense (2012 – loan), Cianorte Futebol Clube (2015-2018), Vitoria Guimaraes (2015-2018 – loan, 2018-2021), Al-Wehda (2020-2021 – loan), Atletico Goianiense (2021-2022)

Possessing aerial prowess, astute positional sense and the composure that complements his ability to distribute the ball from defence, the 1.9m Pedro is the commander that the Sailors can depend on to marshal the defence.

Armed with experience from the Brazilian and Portuguese top-tier leagues, the 29-year-old was once a target for FC Porto in 2017 after helping Vitoria Guimaraes finish fourth in the league and runner-ups in the Portuguese Cup the previous season. In that same year and subsequently in 2019, he also played in the UEFA Europa League with Vitoria.

Pedro signed a three-year deal with the Sailors in 2022 and is currently working his way back from a serious knee injury.

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: 5 June 1997 (26)

Previous Clubs: Home United (2016), Hougang United (2017, 2020-2022), Young Lions (2019)

Having established himself as one of Singapore’s finest young defenders across two separate spells at Hougang United, Lionel is hungry to take his game to the next level as he joins the Sailors in 2023.

He returns to Bishan Stadium seven years after making his professional debut for Home United – the previous iteration of the Sailors’ – in a League Cup fixture against Albirex Niigata (S) and is looking to be a rock at the heart of the Sailors’ defence. Having represented Singapore at various age-group levels and captained the nation’s Under-22s on several occasions, the 1.84m tall Lionel is targeting a Lions call-up in the near future.

Nationality: Singaporean 

DOB/Age: 19 November 1990 (33) 

Previous Clubs: Young Lions (2007-2011), LionsXII (2012-2013), Johor Darul Ta’zim (2014-2021), Home United (2017 – loan)

As one of Singapore’s most successful footballers of all time, Hariss is a household name who was brought in to be the engine of the Sailors squad. The all-conquering midfielder joined the Sailors in 2021 after a successful eight-year spell at Malaysia Super League (MSL) side Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), where he led them to six league titles, as well as to a historic AFC Cup victory in 2015.

A natural leader who can play in the middle of the park as well as in central defence, the Lions skipper is tasked with guiding the exciting young talents at the club, as he looks to usher in a new era of success for the Sailors.

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: 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: 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: 13 April 2001 (22)

Previous Clubs: Young Lions (2019-2020)

A modern full-back who is as capable of supporting the attack as he is at defending, Nur Adam is among one of Singapore’s most exciting youth prospects. While the 2018 Dollah Kassim award winner’s talent has never been in doubt, it is Nur Adam’s excellent mental strength and will to succeed that sets him apart from his peers.

He showcased his potential by winning the SPL Young Player of the Year award in the Sailors 2021’s title-winning season and is determined to kick on to be a bona fide football star.

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: 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: 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.

Nationality: Singaporean

DOB/Age: 22 August 1988 (35)

Previous Clubs: Tanjong Pagar United (2011, 2012-2013), Home United (2012, 2018-2019), Geylang International (2014-2015), Warriors FC (2016-2017)

Well-known as a speed merchant, Hafiz forged himself a reputation as a dangerous and tricky winger in his younger days. He has since done well to transform himself into a steady and committed full-back, who is capable of putting in crunching tackles as well as whipping in dangerous crosses from his flank.

Now the senior statesman at the Sailors, Hafiz is still going strong and enjoys the opportunity to impart his knowledge to the younger ones at the club.

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.

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: 29 November 1998 (25)

Previous Clubs: Young Lions (2017-2019)

An electric wide player who is blessed with explosive acceleration and has some neat touches in his locker, Pashia is a solid attacking option for the Sailors. His determination to succeed in the game saw him overcome a major injury in 2016 to make his SPL bow for the Young Lions the following year.

His natural talent led to him being signed by the Sailors in 2020 and he is yearning to fulfill his burgeoning potential at the club.

Nationality: Singaporean

DOB/Age: 12 January 1996 (27)

Previous Clubs: Young Lions (2015-2016), Home United (2017, 2019), Albirex Niigata (S) (2018)

Blessed with superb close control and the ability to pull something out of the extraordinary, Adam has long been viewed as one of the best Singaporean talents to emerge in the past decade. Adam first came to prominence after impressing in the 2011 and 2012 Lion City Cup, which earned him a two-year contract with French Ligue 2 outfit FC Metz.

He then returned to Singapore to play for the Young Lions, before eventually signing for Albirex Niigata (S) in 2018, where he won the domestic treble, as well as the SPL Young Player of the Year award. In recent years, Adam has been converted into a deep-lying midfielder with his vision and eye for the killer pass key to setting the Sailors up for further success.

Nationality: Portuguese

DOB/Age: 22 March 1998 (26)

Previous Clubs: FC Porto B (2016-2019), Troyes (2019-2022), FC Paços de Ferreira (2021-2022 – loan, 2022-2023)

Rui is a defensive midfielder who spent a large portion of his youth career progressing through the ranks at FC Porto, featuring in their Under-15, U17 and U19 sides.

He was promoted to Porto’s B side to play in Liga Portugal 2, the second tier of Portuguese football, before moving permanently to French Ligue 2 side Troyes. After two seasons there, the midfielder moved back to play in the Portuguese top tier, the Primeira Liga, on loan with FC Paços de Ferreira before the deal was made permanent.

Rui previously captained Portugal’s national age-group sides on a regular basis and was called up till the U20 level. In 2017, he put up a solid display throughout the UEFA European Under-19 Championship, earning him a place in the Team of the Tournament.

Nationality: Singaporean

DOB/Age: 29 April 1991 (32)

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 stock has risen in recent years – and sharply so.

Shawal is undoubtedly one of Singapore’s top forwards at the moment. In 2022 he combined flair with trickery and a keen eye for goal, scoring a career-high 11 Singapore Premier League goals to inspire Hougang United to their first-ever trophy last season – the Singapore Cup.

The challenge to return the Sailors to the top of Singapore football heap and the Group Stage of the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) for the second time was one that Shawal could not turn down.

Nationality: Japanese

DOB/Age: 23 December 1999 (24)

Previous Clubs: Albirex Niigata (S) (2022)

The club’s acquisition of Kodai in the off-season captured the imagination of many a Sailors’ fan, and rightly so. He was hugely influential in Albirex’s 2022 Singapore Premier League title triumph, finishing as the league’s second-highest scorer with 33 goals and 10 assists in 28 appearances.

The lethal forward will look to not only replicate similar levels in a Sailors’ shirt, but also turn in more all-round performances at the Bishan Stadium in 2023. With the supporting cast of Diego Lopes and Maxime Lestienne providing ammunition, the reigning SPL Player of the Year is relishing the opportunity to spearhead the Sailors’ bid for success at the domestic and regional levels.

Nationality: Singaporean

DOB/Age: 24 August 2001 (22)

Previous Clubs: Home United (2019), Tanjong Pagar United (2021 – loan)

A versatile attacker who can play anywhere across the front line, Anaqi is a hot prospect who possesses predatory instincts and has a keen eye for goal. Making his professional debut in 2019 with Home United – the former iteration of the Sailors – Anaqi’s breakthrough season came in 2021 when he scored four goals in 12 appearances in a productive loan spell at Tanjong Pagar.

Now on the comeback trail from a serious injury, Anaqi is hungry to push himself into the first-team reckoning and be a dependable attacking option for the Sailors.

Nationality: Belgian

DOB/Age: 17 June 1992 (31)

Previous Clubs: Mouscron (2008-2009), Brugge (2010-2014), Genoa (2014-2015 – loan), PSV (2015-2016 – loan), Rubin Kazan (2016-2018), Málaga (2018 – loan), Standard Liège (2018-2022)

A direct winger blessed with a turn of pace, an eye for a pass, and composure in tight situations, Maxime showed his class in his debut season with the Sailors in 2022 as he ended the campaign as the SPL’s top assist-maker with 23, on top of several scintillating and game-changing performances.

Capped at all Belgian youth levels, as part of the country’s Golden Generation alongside the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Dries Mertens and Romelu Lukaku, Maxime has proven pedigree at the highest level of the game.

Being a part of PSV Eindhoven’s 2015/16 UCL squad that qualified for the Round of 16 at the expense of Manchester United and made several appearances in European top-tier competitions for various clubs, he is clearly a player who raises the bar of those who plays alongside him.

Nationality: Singaporean

DOB/Age: 16 June 2001 (22)

Previous Clubs: Young Lions (2019-2022)

Rasaq adds depth to the Sailors’ burgeoning options in attack for the 2023 season, offering the team a different option with his tireless running. Having shown potential from a young age, representing Singapore at various youth levels and scoring in his first year as a full-fledged professional in 2019, Rasaq’s career was curtailed slightly due to National Service but he has since returned strongly.

The stocky forward sparkled towards the end of 2022, scoring five goals across two competitions for the Young Lions and is keen to pick up where he left off for the Sailors in 2023.

Nationality: Curaçaoan

DOB/Age: 5 September 1996 (27)

Previous Clubs: FC Groningen (2012-2014), Ajax Amsterdam (2014-2017), Willem II (2015 – loan), FC Utrecht (2016-2017 – loan), K.V. Oostende (2017-2019), Changchun Yatai (2019-2021), Sheffield United (2020 – loan), Guangzhou R&F (2020 – loan), Red Star Belgrade (2021-2022), FC Emmen (2022-2023)

Richairo primarily plays as a centre-forward. Born in the Netherlands, he represented them at youth level from Under-18 to Under-21 before switching to represent Curaçao at senior level.

Richi has featured for the likes of Ajax Amsterdam, Red Star Belgrade and Sheffield United. Having played in top European leagues such as the Eredivisie and the English Premier League, he is widely known for his poacher instincts and composure in front of goal.

He was part of the Red Star Belgrade side that won the Serbian league and cup double in the 2021/2022 season. He had previously featured in the UEFA Champions League with Ajax and also in the UEFA Europa League with both Ajax and Red Star.