After a disappointing 2016, Warriors FC are eager to make things right once again in the upcoming Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League season with the signings of Shahril Ishak and Jordan Webb amongst others

It was a season to forget for Warriors FC in 2016 as they finished seventh out of nine teams in the league and suffered early exits from the cup competitions.

However, they have since added national team captain Shahril Ishak and winger Jordan Webb to their ranks for the upcoming season as they seek a swift return to its glory days.

While Warriors might have lost top-scorer Jonathan Behe to Sabah FA in the off-season, they have recruited well. They have brought in the likes of ex-Johor Darul Ta’zim II defender Baihakki Khaizan, Home United duo Hyrulnizam Juma’at and Ang Zhi Wei as well as Firdaus Kasman from the Garena Young Lions.

In addition, they have managed to retain experienced faces like Ridhuan Muhammad and Shaiful Esah, who was part of the Singapore Under-23 side that clinched bronze at the 2007 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.

Having amassed over hundred caps for the Lions, it is fitting that Shahril will turn out for the most successful club in S.League history in 2017.

“I am happy to return to the S.League after seven years abroad and earn a contract with Warriors FC,” Shahril said of his move to the nine-time league champions.

“We have a decent team this year, a mix of youth and experience and I believe we can work well together. For me as a player, I have a role to play and we want to achieve the tenth title for the club.”

Head Coach Razif Onn had nothing but praise for his latest acquisition, someone he believes can provide much-needed firepower in the final third.

“We needed someone as a playmaker,” the long-serving Warriors coach explained.

“Although we have Shaiful and Firdaus in midfield, Shahril is different. He can control and command the team and can influence the other attacking players – something I really need badly. Hopefully with his experience and expertise he can help the other strikers in the team.”

And with the club last lifting silverware in 2014, Razif has set his sights on leading Warriors back to where they were before.

“A club like Warriors should always be at the top,” he said matter-of-factly.

“I think it’s a given, you need a target and there’s always pressure that comes with it.”

Also making the switch to the Choa Chu Kang Stadium this season is Webb, who swaps the yellow of Tampines Rovers for the blue of Warriors.

Having represented clubs such as Hougang United and Home United in the past, the Canadian is confident he will have no problems adapting.

“It’s been good, I like these guys and they seem to like me too,” Webb enthused.

“I’ve been in Singapore for a while so it’s not that difficult to interact with these boys. The coach and management have been great and I like it here, it seems like a great place to be at for this year.”

This season will see Webb link up with Shahril on the pitch for the first time and he is already looking forward to this partnership.

“When I was younger, my cousin and I watched him play and we told ourselves, ‘He’s a good player man’,” he recalled.

“As you know I want to be a Singaporean as well, so it’s gonna be a honour to play with him and Baihakki. I’m going to try my best to work with Shahril because he’s a good player and he’s shown that in the previous seasons.”

Warriors will begin their new campaign with a trip to the Toa Payoh Stadium to face Marko Kraljevic’s Balestier Khalsa on 28 February 2017. The match will kick-off at 7.30pm.

 S.League 2017 fixtures: http://sleague.com/fixtures-results/fixtures/s-league