News Singapore Premier League • January 30, 2023

2023 Singapore Premier League: Transfer Centre

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SINGAPORE, 2023 – Welcome to the Transfer Centre for the 2023 AIA Singapore Premier League (SPL) season. Here, we keep you up to date on the latest official transfer movements as confirmed by the clubs during the first registration window that runs from 1 January to 19 March. Bookmark this and check back for the latest!

 

READ: VAR to be implemented for 2023 SPL season, DPMM returns

 

15 March 2023

Hougang United announced today the signing of Fairoz Hassan. The forward had previously starred for the Cheetahs from 2013-2017, making 109 appearances.

 

 

14 March 2023

Lion City Sailors announced today the signing of Spanish centre-back Manuel Herrera López, nicknamed Súper.  More HERE.

 

 

Geylang International have also signed former Balestier Khalsa player Delwinder Singh. The experienced defender – who can play across the backline – will add some depth to the Eagle’s defence.

 

 

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1 March 2023

Geylang International announced today that they have signed midfielder Shahfiq Ghani. The 30-year-old rejoins the club, having starred for the Eagles from 2016 to 2017. Most recently, he made 15 appearances for Hougang United last season, where he won the Singapore Cup. Shahfiq has already made his debut for his new club, coming on in the 62nd minute against Young Lions on Tuesday.

 

 

20 February 2023

Amirul Adli has joined Geylang International from Lion City Sailors. The 27-year-old made 35 appearances in all competitions last season – including four in the Asian Champions League – and was part of Singapore’s Asean Football Federation Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022 squad.

 

 

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10 February 2023

Shah Shahiran has returned to his parent club Tampines Rovers having completed his National Service. The 23-year-old had a breakthrough season last year where he played 12 times for the National Team, scoring his first goal for Singapore in the 3-2 victory over Myanmar. The midfielder made a total of 28 appearances for the Young Lions, scoring twice.

 

 

9 February 2023

Albirex confirm that midfielder Masaya Watanabe has joined the club. The 19-year-old boasts European experience, having featured for German fifth-tier side Turu Dusseldorf last season. More HERE.

 

 

30 January 2023

Kim Shin-wook is off to new pastures after one season at the Sailors. The former South Korean international arrived with plenty of fanfare last season and leaves with 24 goals in 35 matches across all competitions, describing it as an “honour” to have donned the club’s colours. More HERE.

 

 

29 January 2023

We bid farewell to Clement Teo, who has left our shores to helm Cambodian top-flight outfit Boeung Ket. The 56-year-old has embarked on his first overseas head coach post after helming Hougang for the past four and a half years, having first taken charge on a caretaker basis in June 2018 before being permanently installed the following year. Teo led the Cheetahs to their highest-ever league finish – third – twice, in 2019 and 2021, and was named SPL Coach of the Year in 2019. Qualification for the 2020 AFC Cup was also a club first and arguably his biggest achievement was bringing them to Singapore Cup glory last season – the club’s first-ever major honour. All the best, Clement!

 

 

Meanwhile, the arrival door at Albirex keeps opening. Riku Fukashiro, a 22-year-old midfielder and graduate of Takushoku University, is the latest to walk in. More HERE.

 

28 January 2023

Hougang have brought in Argentine midfielder Brian Ferreira, who fills their fourth and final foreign slot. The 28-year-old made his professional debut at 17 for Vélez Sarsfield and Singapore is his third Southeast Asian stop, following spells with Johor Darul Ta’zim in Malaysia (2017) and a slew of Indonesian sides, notably PSS Sleman (2019) and PSIS Semarang (2021). Born in Buenos Aires, the former Argentina Under-17 international was last at Mexican third-tier side Cafetaleros de Chiapas.

 

 

The Young Lions have signed former Albirex captain Jun Kobayashi and playmaker Kan Kobayashi for the upcoming season. They will be the first foreigners at the club since 2016. More HERE.

 

 

Albirex have brought in 22-year-old midfielder Shodai Yokoyama. The Kanagawa native joins from the Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences. More HERE.

 

27 January 2023

Hougang have announced the signing of Shahdan Sulaiman, who was released by the Sailors at the end of 2022. The elegant playmaker, capped 85 times for Singapore, has established himself as one of the country’s best ever midfielders since making his professional debut in 2006 with Tampines. He went on to make over 330 league appearances with the Stags, Home United, Young Lions, LionsXII, Melaka United and the Sailors, picking up three league titles and one Singapore Cup crown as well as the 2012 AFF Championship at international level. The 34-year-old has also unfortunately suffered an injury during pre-season and will aim to get back to the pitch as soon as he can.

 

 

Albirex confirm that 23-year-old defender Shogo Toyomura, who made five appearances last season, has left to join Japanese fifth-tier side FC Nobeoka AGATA. More HERE.

 

25 January 2023

Six more new arrivals at the Young Lions have been unveiled. Goalkeeper Prathip Ekamparam, 21, has represented Singapore at Under-18 level and was previously at the Sailors. He will be joined by a familiar face in defender Syafi Hilman, 20, who also moves from the Sailors. Ryan Praveen, 20, who can play in both midfield and defence, comes from Balestier while centre-back Kieran Teo, 18, joins from Geylang having made his professional debut last year. Syafie Redzuan, 19, is a forward who last played for Hougang and will aim to make his professional bow like Prathip and Syafi. Finally, midfielder Iman Hakim, 20, arrives from Tampines with 33 appearances in his tank.

 

 

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There will be a distinct Japanese flavour in Hougang’s rearguard for the 2023 season, with the club confirming the arrival of Naoki Kuriyama today. The 32-year-old centre-back spent the 2022 season with J3 side Ehime FC, making 24 appearances and scoring once as they finished seventh out of 18 teams. The Shizuoka native started his professional journey in 2013 with JEF United Chiba in the J2 League and has also spent time with Montedio Yamagata, making a total of 161 appearances in J2 and J3. Kuriyama joins compatriot and fellow centre-back Kazuma Takayama, whose signing was announced four days ago.

 

 

24 January 2023

There are three new Young Lions in the den. Ethan Pino, 18, made his professional debut last season with Tampines and the midfielder has been capped at Under-15 level. Full-back Ilhan Noor, comfortable on either flank, came through the Geylang youth ranks and the 20-year-old, who made his debut in 2021, had amassed 34 appearances for the Eagles. Fellow defender Ikram Mikhail, 17, is a Under-19 international who turned out for Tanjong Pagar’s Under-21s last year and will aim to make his professional bow.

 

 

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Hougang have snapped up midfielder Umar Akhbar, who has spent the entirety of his professional career at Geylang up until now. The 26-year-old made his debut in 2016 and scored his maiden goal last year.

 

 

Zulfadhmi Suzliman, who made two brief substitute appearances for Geylang last season, has moved to Tanjong Pagar. The 26-year-old winger embarks on the sixth season of his career with his fourth club, having started out in 2016 with the Young Lions before moving to Tampines and Balestier. Zulfadhmi, who won the Goal of the Year award in 2018, has been capped twice by Singapore.

 

 

23 January 2023

The Young Lions have finally unveiled some new arrivals – six of them, in fact. Talented custodian Aizil Yazid, who became the second-youngest ever debutant goalkeeper in league history last August when he turned out for Hougang, is likely to be first choice for the 2023 season. He is joined by compatriot Danial Iliya, 19, who made his debut in 2021 for Tampines. Defenders Andrew Aw, 18 and Adam Reefdy, 19 also join from the Stags, with league experience under their belts. Aizil’s brother, defender Aqil, moves from Balestier and Ameen Sabri, 17, is a forward aiming to make his professional mark.

 

 

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Hougang make Hazzuwan Halim their fifth new recruit for 2023. The 28-year-old attacker, capped six times by Singapore, spent last season with Geylang International and recorded seven goals to go along with three assists in 29 appearances across all competitions. Having started his career with Tanjong Pagar in 2012, Hazzuwan moved to Balestier in 2014 and spent eight seasons there, picking up the S.LEAGUE Young Player of the Year accolade in 2017. The nippy forward can play anywhere across the front-line.

 


21 January 2023

A Saturday signing for Hougang, who welcome Kazuma Takayama for the 2023 season. The 26-year-old Saitama native comes with J.League experience, having rose through the ranks at Omiya Ardija before making his debut in the Emperor’s Cup in 2015. After the club got promoted to the J1 League, Takayama made his league debut in 2016. The following year, he made 11 league appearances as Ardija suffered relegation. The centre-back was subsequently loaned out to Montedio Yamagata in the second tier in 2020, but returned to make 11 league appearances the same year. He did not turn out for Ardija in 2021 and moved to J3 side Kataller Toyama in 2022, featuring thrice in the third tier. The 1.8m defender is the Cheetahs’ first foreign recruit for the new campaign.

 

 

20 January 2023

There’s a Friday delight for fans of the Sailors, who have unveiled Christopher van Huizen as their latest signing. The 30-year-old has described the move as one of the biggest challenges of his career, as he enters the 10th season of his professional career. Van Huizen, who scored thrice and made two assists for Tampines last year, is comfortable on either flank as a full-back or wing-back, and well known for his crossing ability with either foot. Capped 13 times by Singapore, he has experienced a revival of footballing fortunes after contemplating retirement in 2021. More HERE.

 

 

Ong Yu En and Ryaan Sanizal will continue their careers with Tampines for the 2023 season. Midfielder Ong, 19, made his professional debut with Albirex in 2019 before moving to Tampines in 2022 while Ryaan, 20, began his professional journey with Tampines in 2019 and has made over 50 appearances for them.

 

 

19 January 2023

Irwan Shah has found a new home with Hougang. The 34-year-old full-back left Tampines after spending seven seasons there and joins his fourth SPL club, having started out with the Young Lions in 2009. His ability to slot in on either flank will be useful to the Cheetahs, and he is their third new signing in as many days. Capped 25 times by Singapore, Irwan has won one AFF Championship (2012), the Malaysia Super League with the LionsXII (2013) and a league title with Warriors FC in 2014, while also picking up a Singapore Cup winners’ medal in 2019 with Tampines.

 

 

18 January 2023

Another former Sailors star has found a new home – this time, it’s Gabriel Quak, who has signed for Hougang. The 32-year-old joins his fifth SPL club in his 11th SPL season, having experienced three memorable seasons with his former side that saw him crowned SPL Player of the Year in 2020 and win the title in 2021. Quak has six goals in 40 appearances for Singapore and is the second Lion to become a Cheetah this week, following Zaiful Nizam’s move yesterday.

 


Tampines have swooped for Singapore international Faris Ramli, who becomes their sixth new signing and arguably their most high-profile local capture. The 30-year-old forward is an established performer in the SPL with over 100 appearances and 54 goals, since beginning his career in 2010 with the Young Lions. The 2019 Player of the Year has scored 11 times in 73 caps at international level and is set to add a new dimension to the Tampines attack.

 

 

After four seasons with Hougang, Lionel Tan has moved on to new pastures with the Sailors. The 25-year-old centre-back says that it is a “leap of faith” but is relishing the challenge. Capped at various age-group levels, Tan is aiming for a senior call-up. More HERE.

 

 

17 January 2023

Shakir Hamzah will spend the 2023 campaign with Tanjong Pagar, having joined in mid-2021. The 30-year-old Singapore international is an uncompromising defender who will aim to push on again after sitting out most of 2022 due to injury.

 

 

Just in: Hougang have secured the services of  Zaiful Nizam for 2023. The 35-year-old, who won the Golden Glove last season, moves to the fourth club of his 17-season long SPL career. He is two away from tallying 80 career clean sheets in the league and moves on after one and a half years at Geylang.

 

 

Not exactly transfer-related, but Albirex have released their squad numbers – have a look, if that’s your thing.

 

 

16 January 2023

The first new signing of this week is made by Balestier, who have brought in Emmeric Ong. The 31-year-old defender will spend his 12th SPL season with his fifth club, having been with Tanjong Pagar for the past two seasons. Capped twice by Singapore, he said: “I am really excited to be here at this ambitious club and looking forward to what we can do together as a team.”

 

 

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15 January 2023

The big news this Sunday is that Song Uiyoung has left the Sailors to join Thai top-flight side Nongbua Pitchaya. The 29-year-old first moved to Singapore in 2012 to Home United, making his debut that year. The midfielder was granted Singapore citizenship in 2021 and has been capped 16 times, scoring thrice. Song has amassed 225 appearances for Home and Sailors, scoring 80 times. He departs as the Sailors’ all-time top scorer with 32 in all competitions. More HERE.

 

 

Geylang have signed centre-back Nazhiim Harman, who turned out for Hougang last year. The defender, who turns 24 in March, made his professional debut with the Young Lions in 2018 and has represented Singapore at Under-19 level.

 

 

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Hougang have confirmed the appointment of Firdaus Kassim as their new head coach for the 2023 season. The 35-year-old Singaporean replaces Clement Teo, who has helmed the side since 2018. Firdaus, a former Under-18 coach at the club in 2015, spent time in Thailand with Chainat FC and Muangthong United before returning as head of youth in 2020. Promoted to assistant coach in 2021, Firdaus will be assisted by Marko Kraljević for the upcoming campaign.

 

 

13 January 2023

Iqbal Hussain is back in the SPL and back with Geylang. The 29-year-old forward, last seen turning out for Balestier in the 2021 season, returns to the side he plied his trade with for one campaign in 2020. Capped seven times for Singapore, with the last appearance in March 2019, Iqbal has long been regarded as a skilful operator and will aim to make the most of his second stint with the Eagles.

 

 

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Sahil Suhaimi has signed a contract to stay at Hougang for a fourth season. The 21-cap Singapore international scored eight times and weighed in with six assists in 36 appearances last year.

 

 

12 January 2023

After six seasons with Hougang, Fabian Kwok has moved on to Balestier for 2023. The 33-year-old, who can play in both central midfield and defence, joins his fifth SPL club in his 14th professional season.

 

 

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Balestier have confirmed Masahiro Sugita as their fourth and final foreign signing for 2023. The 23-year-old scored nine times and made nine assists in 32 appearances across all competitions for Albirex in his maiden professional season last year. The nifty midfielder, who has represented Japan at Under-16 and Under-18 level, joins compatriots Shuhei Hoshino and Ryoya Taniguchi at the club; Slovenian ace Alen Kozar is the Tigers’ fourth foreign import.

 

 

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It is proving to be a busy day – Yushi Yamaya is the third new signing to be announced so far, this time by Geylang. The Japanese forward is a youth product of seven-time J1 champions Yokohama F. Marinos and made his debut in 2019, before spending the next three seasons on loan with three different Japanese teams. The Kanagawa native, 22, made two brief appearances for Yokohama FC in 2022 as they finished second in J2 to earn promotion to J1. Head coach Noor Ali said: “His arrival will surely add variety to our attack. He’s also an exciting player, so I’m sure the fans will enjoy watching him in action.” More HERE.

 

 

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Danish Qayyum is the sixth new Sailors signing. The 20-year-old, who functions primarily as a winger but can also deputise at full-back, made his professional debut in 2019 with Geylang shortly after turning 17 before moving to the Young Lions in 2021. In 2022, he played a bigger role for the Young Lions, scoring twice and making one assists in 25 appearances. More HERE.

 

 

Singapore international Zulfahmi Arifin has extended his stay at Hougang. The 31-year-old midfielder helped the Cheetahs to Singapore Cup glory last year and has been at the club since joining in 2017.

 

 

Defender Koki Kawachi, 22, is the latest Albirex addition. The Gifu-born player joins from Chukyo University. More HERE. Midfielder Mahiro Takahashi, 21, has announced his retirement.

 

11 January 2023

Balestier have made Alen Kozar their first new foreign signing for 2023. The Slovenian midfielder joins from top-tier outfit NŠ Mura after seven seasons there. The 27-year-old began his career with the youth side of Mura 05 – the previous iteration of Mura – and made his PrvaLiga debut in 2012. Four years at second-tier NK Aluminij followed, before a return to Mura in 2016. Then in the third tier, Kozar would help them to two consecutive promotions and the 2020/21 title – the club’s first and only league triumph. Kozar has turned out for Mura in qualifying matches for the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, and was captain of the team that defeated Tottenham 2-1 at home in the 2021 Europa Conference League.

 

 

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Albirex have added 19-year-old goalkeeper Yoshihiko Kobayashi to their ranks. The Tochigi native joins from Southeastern Community College. More HERE.

 

10 January 2023

The latest player in through the Sailors’ door is Abdul Rasaq. The Singapore youth international attacker, 21, bagged five goals last season and is eager to improve his game further after four seasons at the Young Lions. More HERE.

 

 

At Tampines, former Serbia Under-19 centre-back Miloš Zlatković has joined the defensive ranks. The 26-year-old moves after two seasons in the Malta top division with Balzan.

 

 

9 January 2023

Welcome news out of Tampines for Stags fans – last season’s league Golden Boot winner Boris Kopitovic is back for a fourth season after smashing in 35 goals in 28 matches in 2022.

 

 

Singapore international Amy Recha has signed on for the 2023 season with Hougang, following in the footsteps of Kristijan Krajček, Amir Zalani, Idraki Adnan and Jordan Vestering.

 

8 January 2023

Asahi Yokokawa has joined Albirex from J1 League side Shonan Bellmare. The 20-year-old midfielder, capped at Under-15, Under-16 and Under-17 levels for Japan, came through the club’s youth ranks and is yet to make his debut for them, having spent the past two seasons on loan to Gainare Tottori (J3, 2021) and Tokyo Musashino United (JFL, 2022). More HERE. He is the latest in a raft of new arrivals, joining Seia Kunori, Sho Fuwa, Ryo Takahashi, Singapore U-19 international Firman Nabil, Keito Komatsu, Shuto Komaki and Kaisei Ogawa.

 

 

Brazilian defender Pedro Dias is the sixth new signing for Tanjong Pagar. The 30-year-old stands at a towering 1.9m and has prior playing stints in Malaysia and Thailand.

 

 

Two homecomings for Tampines – goalkeeper Ridhuan Barudin and defender Syahrul Sazali are back.

 

 

 

7 January 2023

Tampines continue to add to their midfielder stockpile with Saifullah Akbar. The youth product, 23, returns to the Stags after spending 2018 and 2018 with the Young Lions, and 2020 to 2022 with the Sailors. Named Young Player of the Year in 2020, the five-time Singapore international will embark on his seventh league season with Tampines. He is joined by Glenn Kweh, another exciting young talent who moves from the Young Lions. Capped five times by Singapore, the 22-year-old scored four times and made seven assists during his two past two seasons.

 

 

The Azman brothers – Naufal and Akmal – have landed in the Eagles’ nest at Geylang.

 

 

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6 January 2023

Dynamic midfielder Kumpei Kakuta has left Albirex to join Fukuyama City, who play in the fifth tier of Japan. More HERE. Over at Balestier, Iqram Rifqi has joined from the Sailors. The five-time Singapore international, 26, can play at both left-back and left wing.

 

 

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5 January 2023

Tajeli Salamat will add spice and verve to the Tanjong Pagar side for 2023. The two-time Singapore international, 28, can play a variety of positions but is primarily known for his pinpoint right-wing deliveries.

 

 

Nine players have left the Young Lions: goalkeepers Ridhwan Fikri, Martyn Mun and Dylan Pereira, defenders Syabil Hisham and Moritz Radewalt, midfielders Danish Qayyum and Adel Alsree, and forwards Glenn Kweh and Abdul Rasaq.

 

 

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Ridhwan has since been confirmed as a new Geylang signing, making the goalkeeper their second arrival.

 

 

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Defenders Anders Aplin and Nazrul Nazari have been retained by Hougang and will play their fourth and eighth seasons respectively with the club.

 

 

Balestier have captured Syabil Hisham, who moves from the Young Lions. The 20-year-old defender made his professional debut in 2020 with Tanjong Pagar.

 

 

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4 January 2023

Šime Žužul, who scored 19 times and made seven assists in his first season with Geylang last year, has joined Uzbek second-tier side Lokomotiv Tashkent.

 

Zainol Gulam will continue with Hougang for the upcoming season. The goalkeeper, who turns 31 next month, came out of retirement to join the club in June 2022. He started his career at Warriors FC and made his professional debut with them in 2016 and is perhaps best remembered for his four seasons with Geylang International, prior to his retirement in August 2021.

 

 

2 January 2023

Former Japan Under-18 international defender Shunsaku Kishimoto has joined Albirex from Takushoku University. More HERE.

 

1 January 2023

New year, new signing for Tanjong Pagar, who have brought in 1.83m striker Marin Mudrazija to augment their attack. The 27-year-old Croatian can also play on either flank.

 

 

Gareth Low has moved to Geylang, who become the 25-year-old’s fifth club. The National Football Academy graduate, who is the club’s first new recruit for 2023, started with the Young Lions in 2016 and has since spent time at Hougang, Albirex and Balestier.

 

 

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31 December 2022

Fan favourite Blake Ricciuto will ply his trade with Tanjong Pagar for a third straight season.

 

 

29 December 2022

Three attackers have left the Hougang camp: Shawal Anuar – who was announced as a Sailor last week, Shahril Ishak and Pedro Bortoluzo.

 

 

Geylang have confirmed the departures of Šime Žužul, Tajeli Salamat, Khairul Hairie, Umar Akhbar, Zulfairuuz Rudy, Zaiful Nizam, Hazzuwan Halim, Abdil Qaiyyim, Faizal Roslan, Qayyum Raishyan and Fareez Farhan.

 

28 December 2022

Tanjong Pagar have confirmed the departures of 12 players: Zharfan Rohaizad, Karan Sobti, Shodai Nishikawa, Khairul Nizam, Daniel Bennett, Reo Nishiguchi, Emmeric Ong, Ryan Syaffiq, Rusyaidi Salime, Hadiputradila Saswadimata, Faizal Raffi and Aqhari Abdullah.

 

 

26 December 2022

Is this a statement of intent? The Sailors have only gone and signed the man who gave them nightmares last season. Kodai Tanaka plundered 39 goals and 10 assists as Albirex won the league, and will aim to do likewise for his new side. More on the fourth new Sailor HERE.

 

 

Another trio has joined the released list at Hougang: Shahfiq Ghani, Kaishu Yamazaki and Andre Moritz.

 

 

Faizal Roslan has become Tanjong Pagar’s third signing for the new season. The 27-year-old can play anywhere across the backline and joins from the Sailors, having spent the 2022 season on loan at Geylang.

 

 

25 December 2022

Mirko Sugic has agreed to stay at Tanjong Pagar, having enjoyed a decent maiden campaign that reaped five goals and five assists.

 

 

24 December 2022

Good news for Geylang fans, who will see Vincent Bezecourt continue his journey with the club for 2023. The mercurial Frenchman dazzled in his maiden SPL season with 10 goals and nine assists.

 

 

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Young midfielder Jarrel Ong moves on after four seasons at Hougang to join Albirex. More HERE.

 

23 December 2023

Another day, another new signing for the Sailors – this time it is goalkeeper Zharfan Rohaizad, who joins Rusyaidi Salime in moving from Tanjong Pagar. The talented custodian, 25, will aim to be their new number one. More HERE.

 

 

Centre-back Shuya Yamashita will extend his stay with Tampines. The 23-year-old scored twice in 35 appearances for the Stags after joining from Albirex last year.

 

 

Three more players have been let go by Hougang: Fabian Kwok, Faiz Salleh and Afiq Noor, who have each amassed over 100 appearances for them.

 

 

22 December 2022

Khairul Hairie is the second new face in at Tanjong Pagar. The speedy 22-year-old winger moves from Geylang, where he made his professional bow last year.

 

 

Signing number two for the Sailors is Rusyaidi Salime, who transfers from Tanjong Pagar. The versatile 24-year-old started with the Young Lions in 2016 and turned out for the Jaguars for the last two years. More HERE.

 

21 December 2022

The Sailors have made a splash with their first new signing for 2023 – it is Shawal Anuar, who enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2022 with 14 goals and seven assists in all competitions for Hougang. The 31-year-old forward will hope to add more trophies to the Singapore Cup winners’ medal from last year and take his game to a new level. More HERE.

 

 

Hougang have released four players: goalkeepers Ridhuan Barudin and Mukunda Maran, and defenders Nazhiim Harman and Muhaimin Suhaimi.

 

 

21 December 2022

Balestier have made Mukundan Maran their first arrival for the 2023 season. The 24-year-old made his professional debut with Warriors FC in 2017 and joined Hougang United in 2021 after completing his National Service. Some fine displays saw him earn a National Team call-up in September 2022 and the goalkeeper has signed a two-year contract “worth more than $100,000”.

 

 

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20 December 2022

There is a new man at the Sailors helm – Risto Vidaković has been appointed as head coach. The Serbian, 53, has worked in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Described as a “serial winner”, he will aim to help the club reclaim the title that was ceded to Albirex in 2022. More HERE.

 

 

Over at Jurong East, Tanjong Pagar have welcomed Naqiuddin Eunos as their first new signing for 2023. The 25-year-old can fill in on both flanks as full-back or winger and joins from the Sailors, where he won the 2021 league title.

 

 

Staying with the west, Albirex have confirmed that Tadanari Lee will play on for the 2023 season. The former Asian Cup winner scored 11 times and laid on 10 assists in 2022 and his experience will be useful for his young team-mates as they seek to defend their crown. More HERE.

 

 

In the east, Joshua Pereira will turn out in Geylang colours for 2023. The 25-year-old, who joined the club in 2020, enjoyed an excellent latter half of 2022 after returning from National Service. Capable of playing both in central midfield and defence, he made his international debut and has since picked up four caps.

 

 

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19 December 2022

Centre-back Reo Kunimoto will be loaned to J2 League outfit Renofa Yamaguchi, having spent the past two seasons with the White Swans. More HERE.

 

18 December 2022

Young midfielder Shakthi Vinayagavijayan has signed on to stay with Albirex. The 19-year-old Singapore youth international joined the club’s Under-19s last season and impressed sufficiently to earn a professional debut. More HERE.

 

Four players will spend their 2023 campaigns with Tampines: Taufik Suparno, Irfan Najeeb, Firdaus Kasman and Syed Firdaus.

 

 

17 December 2022

After two seasons with Albirex, goalkeeper Takahiro Koga has moved to J3 League side SC Sagamihara. More HERE.

 

16 December 2022

In what appears to be a big coup, Albirex have pulled off the signing of Hassan Sunny. Capped 100 times by Singapore, the 38-year-old is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Southeast Asia and will relish his new challenge after spending three seasons at the Sailors. More HERE.

 

 

The White Swans have also earlier confirmed contract renewals for Nicky Melvin Singh, Hilman Norhisam, Zamani Zamri, Kenji Austin, Junki Kenn Yoshimura, Keito Hariya and Hyrulnizam Juma’at. Meanwhile, left-back Daichi Omori has moved to J3 side Kataller Toyama.

 

The Young Lions have appointed Philippe Aw for their upcoming campaign, marking a second spell in the dugout for the 45-year-old. More HERE.

 

 

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Meanwhile, Tampines have welcomed back seven Stags for the 2023 season: Yasir Hanapi, Syazwan Buhari, Kyoga Nakamura, Danish Irfan, Amirul Haikal, Joel Chew and Rezza Rezky.

 

 

14 December 2022

Takahiro Tezuka is the second foreigner to stay for another season with Geylang. The midfielder completed all 31 matches for the club in 2022 – one of two Eagles to do so, the other being compatriot Rio Sakuma.

 

 

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12 December 2022

Reigning Young Player of the Year, Ilhan Fandi, is set for an European adventure. The 20-year-old forward has sealed a move to Belgium second-tier side KMSK Deinze on a one-and-a-half-year contract, off the back of an impressive season that saw him tally 20 goals and five assists from 27 matches across all competitions for Albirex. More HERE.

 

11 December 2022

Centre-back Rio Sakuma will play a second season at Geylang.

 

 

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6 December 2022

Kenji Rusydi has returned to Tanjong Pagar to boost their goalkeeping ranks for 2023, after serving his National Service. The 24-year-old made 10 appearances for the Jaguars in 2020 after joining from Home United.

 

 

4 December 2022

Shameer Aziq, Zehrudin Mehmedovic, Christopher Van Huizen and Kevin Wong have all been confirmed as Tampines departures. Former Serbia youth international Mehmedovic arrived with plenty of fanfare in 2019, and leaves after making just over 100 appearances.

 

 

2 December 2022

Nine players have been re-signed by Tanjong Pagar: Khairul Amri, Azim Akbar, Fathullah Rahmat, Syukri Bashir, Raihan Rahman, Shahrin Saberin, Naufal Ilham, Fashah Iskandar and Akram Azman.

 

 

More head coaching news, this time from Geylang where it’s confirmed that Mohd Noor Ali will take charge for a sixth season.

 

 

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1 December 2022

Albirex confirm that Kazuaki Yoshinaga will remain at the helm as he seeks a fourth league title. More HERE.

 

29 November 2022

Peter de Roo will lead Balestier in 2023 as he signs for another year, having taken charge on an interim basis for the last three months of the 2022 season. “His continuity is a reflection of the club’s ambitions to establish a distinct playing philosophy as well as a unique Club Identity that everyone around us can be proud of,” the club said.

 

 

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28 November 2022

The Sailors have bid adieu to six first-team stars: goalkeeper Hassan Sunny, defenders Naqiuddin Eunos and Iqram Rifqi, midfielder Shahdan Sulaiman and forwards Gabriel Quak and Faris Ramli. More HERE.

 

 

Meanwhile, Tampines have confirmed that stalwart Irwan Shah will leave the club after seven years.

 

 

Over at Balestier, 12 players have been confirmed to remain as Tigers for the 2023 season: Madhu Mohana, Hairul Syirhan, Syukri Noorhaizam, Aidil Johari, Daniel Goh, Puvan Raj, Ryoya Taniguchi, Shuhei Hoshino, Darren Teh, Ignatius Ang, Amer Hakeem and Ho Wai Loon. Thirteen others will part ways: Rudy Khairullah, Gareth Low, Ammirul Emmran, Aarish Kumar, Asshukrie Wahid, Ensar Bruncevic, Naufal Azman, Akmal Azman, Kuraba Kondo, Delwinder Singh, Hariysh Krishnakumar, Keshav Kumar and Khalili Khalif.

 

 

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