The Singapore Premier League champions bolster their squad with key additions ahead of the 2024-25 season.
SINGAPORE: The 2021 Singapore Premier League champions, Lion City Sailors, have strengthened their squad ahead of the 2024-25 season with the return of midfield maestro Song Uiyong and the signing of Dutch playmaker Bart Ramselaar.
Song, who previously left the Sailors to play in Thailand and Indonesia, returns on a two-year deal after gaining valuable experience at Nongbua Pitchaya and Persebaya Surabaya. The South Korean-born Singapore international has been a regular at Bishan Stadium and is eager to bring further success to the club. His previous stint saw him score four goals in 22 appearances for the Lions, and he is currently second on the Sailors’ all-time scoring charts with 32 goals in 58 appearances.
“I’ve learnt so much from playing in Thailand and Indonesia, and I want to use this experience to help the team,” said Song, who added that he is excited to return to familiar surroundings and help the Sailors achieve their goal of becoming champions once again.
Ramselaar, who joins the Sailors from FC Utrecht for an undisclosed fee, will add attacking dynamism to the squad. The 27-year-old midfielder previously played for Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven, where he won the 2017/18 Eredivisie title. Ramselaar, who has also represented the Netherlands at the senior level, brings UEFA Champions League experience and a wealth of technical ability to the attacking third. He joins a squad already brimming with European pedigree, including fellow PSV alumni Maxime Lestienne and recent signing Toni Datkovic.
“I’m really intrigued by this new challenge in Singapore with the Sailors,” said Ramselaar, who expressed his excitement about helping the team qualify for the knockout stages of the newly-formed Asian Football Confederation Champions League 2 (ACL2).
With the addition of Ramselaar, the Sailors are poised to challenge for the Singapore Premier League title and make a strong showing in international competitions, further solidifying their position as one of the region’s most competitive clubs.
