After consistent performances for the LionsXII and the Singapore national team over the past three years, defender Safuwan Baharudin has been rewarded with a move to A-League side Melbourne City. This follows a trial spell with the club in Abu Dhabi where he held his own in friendlies against local outfit Al Jazira and Ukraine’s FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk. The deal, which runs until the end of the current A-League season, makes Safuwan the first Singaporean to play in Australia’s top football competition.
In a statement published on Melbourne City’s website, head coach John van’t Schip described how the player had won his place in the squad. “Safuwan is a mobile defender who is calm and composed on the ball and makes quick and good decisions,” he said. “He impressed the coaching staff while playing and training with us in Abu Dhabi and we believe he will fit in with our players and complement our style.”
Safuwan, meanwhile, expressed his delight. “When this opportunity came, I told myself that I had to go all out because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that may never come again,” he said. “I worked very hard, and I really enjoyed training with the team in Abu Dhabi and got along well with the other players. I am very happy that the coaches were happy with what they saw.” He even had a distinctly Singaporean sound bite to offer. “I am looking forward to doing my best for the club and as an ambassador of Singapore,” he said. “I want to make my parents and family proud of me."
Founded in 2009 as Melbourne Heart, Melbourne City was rebranded in 2014 following a takeover by the City Football Group, the company which owns Manchester City and MLS team New York City. They currently sit in sixth place in the A-League and will play their next match against reigning AFC Champions League winners Western Sydney Wanderers on Feb. 1. Selected A-League matches are shown on SuperSports 2 (StarHub Channel 202).
Safuwan leaves the LionsXII with a return of nine goals in 58 appearances, a stint highlighted by the club’s 2013 Malaysia Super League triumph. He can now look forward to lining up with the likes of former Chelsea winger Damien Duff and Australian international striker Joshua Kennedy.
After consistent performances for the LionsXII and the Singapore national team over the past three years, defender Safuwan Baharudin has been rewarded with a move to A-League side Melbourne City. This follows a trial spell with the club in Abu Dhabi where he held his own in friendlies against local outfit Al Jazira and Ukraine’s FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk. The deal, which runs until the end of the current A-League season, makes Safuwan the first Singaporean to play in Australia’s top football competition.
In a statement published on Melbourne City’s website, head coach John van’t Schip described how the player had won his place in the squad. “Safuwan is a mobile defender who is calm and composed on the ball and makes quick and good decisions,” he said. “He impressed the coaching staff while playing and training with us in Abu Dhabi and we believe he will fit in with our players and complement our style.”
Safuwan, meanwhile, expressed his delight. “When this opportunity came, I told myself that I had to go all out because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that may never come again,” he said. “I worked very hard, and I really enjoyed training with the team in Abu Dhabi and got along well with the other players. I am very happy that the coaches were happy with what they saw.” He even had a distinctly Singaporean sound bite to offer. “I am looking forward to doing my best for the club and as an ambassador of Singapore,” he said. “I want to make my parents and family proud of me."
Founded in 2009 as Melbourne Heart, Melbourne City was rebranded in 2014 following a takeover by the City Football Group, the company which owns Manchester City and MLS team New York City. They currently sit in sixth place in the A-League and will play their next match against reigning AFC Champions League winners Western Sydney Wanderers on Feb. 1. Selected A-League matches are shown on SuperSports 2 (StarHub Channel 202).
Safuwan leaves the LionsXII with a return of nine goals in 58 appearances, a stint highlighted by the club’s 2013 Malaysia Super League triumph. He can now look forward to lining up with the likes of former Chelsea winger Damien Duff and Australian international striker Joshua Kennedy.