The 2024–25 season is Hougang United's 27th consecutive season in the top flight of Singapore football and in the Singapore Premier League and the Singapore Cup.
The women team will participate in the Women's Premier League.
Season overview Following their 2022 Singapore Cup victory, Hougang United's 2023 season started with high hopes. However, a slow start in the SPL, with just one win in their first seven matches, dashed their title aspirations. A coaching change sparked a turnaround, leading the Cheetahs to a Singapore Cup final appearance before ultimately falling to Lion City Sailors.
Transfer In 2024, Hougang United underwent a squad overhaul. Figures like Zaiful Nizam, Nazrul Nazari, Anders Aplin, Shahdan Sulaiman, and Kristijan Krajcek provided experience and continuity. Underperforming players were released, paving the way for fresh talent.
The Cheetahs are embracing a Balkan influence with the signings of Ensar Brunčević (former Balestier defender), Stjepan Plazonja, Petar Banović, and Faris Hasic from Croatia and Bosnia. Additionally, Puttipat Kaewsawad joins on loan, while Shodai Yokoyama arrives from league champions Albirex Niigata (S).
This revamped Hougang United squad appears poised to challenge for success in the upcoming season.
Pre-season In pre-season friendlies, the team enjoyed victories over Geylang International, Lion City Sailors, and Tanjong Pagar United. However, they fell short against Young Lions and BG Tampines Rovers.
Additionally, they participated in the SMJ Cup organized by Sabah FC, competing alongside Kuching City FC, Kuala Lumpur FC, and the hosts themselves.
Squad
Singapore Premier League No. Name Nationality Date of birth (age) Previous club Contract since Contract end Goalkeepers 12 Kenji Syed Rusydi Tanjong Pagar United 2024 2025 19 Zaiful Nizam Geylang International 2023 2025 Aizil Yazid Young Lions FC 2021 2026 Defenders 2 Anders Aplin Geylang International 2020 2025 3 Jordan Nicolas Vestering NFA U18 2018 2025 4 Nazrul Nazari LionsXII 2016 2025 5 Danish Irfan Geylang International 2024 2025 21 Nazhiim Harman Geylang International 2024 2025 23 Daniel Alemão Cebu (P1) 2025 2025 31 Tajeli Salamat Balestier Khalsa 2025 2025 33 Jovan Mugoša FK Igalo 1929 (M2) 2025 2025 Midfielders 8 Shahdan Sulaiman Lion City Sailors 2023 2025 11 Shodai Yokoyama Albirex Niigata (S) 2024 2025 14 Ismail Salihović FP U21 FK Josanica (S3) 2024 2025 17 Justin Hui Lion City Sailors 2024 2025 37 Zulfahmi Arifin Bhayangkara (I1) 2024 2025 64 Ratthathammanun Deeying FP U21 Chonburi F.C. (T2) 2025 2025 65 Parinya Kaochukiat FP U21 Chonburi F.C. (T2) 2025 2025 Strikers 7 Hazzuwan Halim Geylang International 2023 2025 9 Stjepan Plazonja NK Široki Brijeg (B1) 2024 2025 22 Gabriel Quak Lion City Sailors 2023 2025 24 Zamani Zamri Albirex Niigata (S) 2024 2024 27 Farhan Zulkifli Young Lions FC 2019 2025 30 Dejan Račić FK Mornar (M1) 2024 2025 Players who left for NS during the season 16 Ajay Robson Youth Team 2023 2025 Players who left during the season 6 Puttipat Kaewsawad FP U21 SKN St. Pölten (A2) 2024 2024 10 Kristijan Krajcek Balestier Khalsa 2022 2025 15 Ensar Brunčević FK Novi Pazar (S1) 2024 2025 18 Nikesh Singh Sidhu SAFSA 2019 2025 20 Faris Hasić FP U21 FK Mladost Doboj Kakanj (B2) 2024 2025 44 Petar Banović HNK Tomislav (B2) 2024 2025
Remarks: FP U21 These players are registered as U21 foreign players.
Women's squad No. Name Nationality Date of birth (age) Previous club Contract since Contract end Goalkeepers 1 Nurul Faizah Still Aerion Women's 2024 2025 15 Intan Afiqah Tanjong Pagar United (W) 2025 2025 Defenders 2 K.Harini Royal Arion (WNL) 2025 2025 3 Angelyn Pang Yen Ping Tiong Bahru FC (W) 2023 2025 5 Jaslyn Leong Fei Ping 2024 2025 6 Claire Merrow-Smith 2023 2025 18 Rachel Liew Still Aerion Women's 2025 2025 22 Nuurfathimah Syaakirah 2025 2025 23 Nur Adrianna Hazeri Tanjong Pagar United (W) 2025 2025 24 Hailey Cheung 2025 2025 25 Tasneem Khozem 2025 2025 Midfielders 8 Victoria Tan 2024 2025 9 Nasriah Ibrahim Balestier Khalsa (W) 2024 2025 11 Siti Nurfarah Warriors FC 2024 2025 13 Winette Lim Siu Tiong Bahru FC (W) 2023 2025 14 Nisreen Aziz ESA Academy 2025 2025 17 Lily Rozana Joehann Aung Tiong Bahru FC (W) 2025 2025 19 Fatin Nur Syaraf 2025 2025 21 Rochelle Chan Wan Wen Tiong Bahru FC (W) 2023 2025 27 Riddle Reneelyn Sison Tiong Bahru FC (W) 2023 2025 Strikers 4 Raudhah Kamis Tiong Bahru FC (W) 2023 2025 7 Sydney Hector Balestier Khalsa (W) 2024 2025 10 Faith Ho Xin Ning 2024 2025 12 Claire Marie Tay Still Aerion Women's 2024 2025 20 Clae Kho Tiong Bahru FC (W) 2025 2025 Players who left mid-season 4 Nurul Asyiqin Tiong Bahru FC (W) 2023 2024 5 Jacklyn Lee Pei Xian Tiong Bahru FC (W) 2023 7 Deborah Chin Ngeet Ling Tiong Bahru FC (W) 2023 14 Nur Izyani Ghani Police SA 2024 15 Siti Wan Nabilah Tiong Bahru FC (W) 2023 2024 17 Victoria Lee Chun Hui Tiong Bahru FC (W) 2023 18 Nurul Ardian Baharrudin 2024 19 Nicole Lim Yan Xiu Lion City Sailors (W) 2023 20 Rena Ang En Ting Tiong Bahru FC (W) 2023 22 Joey Cheng Yu Ying Police SA 2024 99 Sitianiwati Rosielin Police SA 2024 25 Azura Azlan (G) 2023 Bisesh Gurung Geylang International (W) 2024
Coaching staff
First Team Position NameRef.General Manager Team Manager Head Coach (Men) Robert Eziakor Assistant Coach Hamid RaeiskarimiGoalkeeping Coach Scott StarrFitness Coach Rosman SulaimanSports Trainer Thomas Pang Physiotherapist Seishen GerardEquipment Team Richard Lim Wan Azlan Bin Wan Adanan
Youth and Women Team Position NameRef.Team Manager (Women) Angelyn PangHead Coach (Women) G.SivarajHead of Youth (COE) & U21 Coach Marko KraljevicU17 Coach Hamid RaeiskarimiU15 Coach Firdaus MohamedU13 Coach Hairil Amin
Transfers In
Preseason PositionPlayerTransferred FromTeamRef Kenji Syed Rusydi Tanjong Pagar United First Team Free Ensar Brunčević FK Novi Pazar (S1) First Team Undisclosed Faris Hasić FK Mladost Doboj Kakanj (B2) First Team Free Ismail Salihović FK Josanica (S3) First Team Free Nazhiim Harman Geylang International First team Free Danish Irfan Tampines Rovers First Team Free Adam Reefdy Tampines Rovers U21 First Team Free Adam Ali Tampines Rovers U21 U21 Free Danie Hafiy Lion City Sailors U21 U21 Free Gabriel Goh Albirex Niigata (S) U21 U21 Free Callum Rhys Tam Tampines Rovers U15 U17 Free Shodai Yokoyama Albirex Niigata (S) First Team Free Justin Hui Lion City Sailors First Team Free Charlie Taylor Lion City Sailors U17 U21 Free Zamani Zamri Albirex Niigata (S) First Team Free Stjepan Plazonja NK Široki Brijeg (B1) First Team Free Petar Banović HNK Tomislav (B2) First Team Free Dejan Račić FK Mornar (M1) First Team Free
Mid-season PositionPlayerTransferred FromTeamRef Jovan Mugoša FK Igalo 1929 (M2) First Team Free Daniel Alemão Cebu (P1) First Team Free Tajeli Salamat Balestier Khalsa First team Free Levi Faris Sailors Development Center U17 U21 Free Iman Haziq Sailors Development Center U17 U21 Free Zulfahmi Arifin Bhayangkara First Team Free Shahreez Basheer Balestier Khalsa U21 U21 Free Irfan Iskandar SAFSA U21 Free
Postseason PositionPlayerTransferred fromTeamRef Settawut Wongsai Phrae United (T2) First Team Free
Loan return Preseason PositionPlayerTransferred from TeamRef Heng How Meng SAFSA U21 End of NS Sahffee Jubpre SAFSA U21 End of NS Nikesh Singh Sidhu SAFSA U21 End of NS Harhys Stewart Young Lions FC U21 End of loan Syafi’ie Redzuan Young Lions FC First Team End of loan
Mid-season PositionPlayerTransferred from TeamRef Aizil Yazid SAFSA First Team End of NS Farhan Zulkifli SAFSA First Team End of NS Hafizzuan Riduan SAFSA End of NS Woo Chun Wei SAFSA End of NS
Loan in Preseason PositionPlayerTransferred To / FromTeamRef Danie Hafiy Lion City Sailors U21 U21 Season loan Yasir Nizamudin Lion City Sailors U21 U21 Season loan Puttipat Kaewsawad SKN St. Pölten First Team Loan till Nov 2024
Mid-season PositionPlayerTransferred To / FromTeamRef Parinya Kaochukiat Chonburi F.C. First Team Loan till May 2025 Ratthathammanun Deeying Chonburi F.C. First Team Loan till May 2025
Out Preseason PositionPlayerTransferred ToTeamRef Zainol Gulam Albirex Niigata (S) First Team Free Belle Jaffar Retired Women Free Kazuma Takayama Retired First Team Free Naoki Kuriyama Retired First Team Free Irwan Shah Retired First Team N.A. Abdil Qaiyyim Mutalib Balestier Khalsa First Team Free Wong Ngang Haang Young Lions FC U21 Free Harriz Danial Albirex Niigata (S) U21 Free Nasrul Pujiyono Tengah FC U21 Free Umar Ramle Tanjong Pagar United First Team Free Amir Zailani Katong FC (SFL1) First Team Free Idraki Adnan Albirex Niigata (S) First Team Free Ashvin Vela Albirex Niigata (S) U21 Free Harhys Stewart BG Pathum United F.C. U21 Free Shahreez Basheer Balestier Khalsa U21 U21 Free Putera Danish U21 Free Syed Adel Alsree U21 Free Snir Shalev U21 Free Afzal Halim U21 Free Raimi Ishraq U21 Free Hariysh Krishnakumar Singapore Cricket Club (SFL1) U21 Free Amy Recha Albirex Niigata (S) First Team Free Sahil Suhaimi Tanjong Pagar United First Team Free Fairoz Hassan Geylang Serai FC (IWL) First Team Free Đorđe Maksimović Kozani F.C. (G2) First Team Free Dylan Choo Chi Tao U21 Free Clara Lau Shi Hui Spring Hills FC (A2) Women Free Rachel Chan Le Ying Tanjong Pagar United (W) Women Free
Mid-season PositionPlayerTransferred ToTeamRef Ensar Brunčević FK Novi Pazar First Team Free Faris Hasić FK Gornji Rahic (B2) First Team Free Kristijan Krajcek First Team Free Nikesh Singh Sidhu First Team Free Charlie Taylor Upper Iowa University U21 Free Hafizzuan Riduan U21 Free Woo Chun Wei U21 Free Chia Wayne Hon Rayo Ciudad Alcobendas Academy U15 Free Nur Izyani Ghani Albirex Niigata (S) Women Free Sitianiwati Rosielin Albirex Niigata (S) Women Free Nurul Asyiqin Women Free Petar Banović HNK Tomislav (B2) First Team Free Siti Wan Nabilah Women Free
Loan out Preseason PositionPlayerTransferred ToRef Aizil Yazid SAFSA NS till Jan 2025 Farhan Zulkifli SAFSA NS till Jan 2025 Hafizzuan Riduan SAFSA NS till Jan 2025 Woo Chun Wei SAFSA NS till Jan 2025 Iryan Fandi Young Lions NS till Jan 2026 Nicholas Jordan Sea SAFSA NS till July 2026
Mid-season PositionPlayerTransferred ToRef Keith Chung Wen Jie SAFSA NS till Sept 2026 Ajay Robson SAFSA NS till Nov 2026
End of Loan Mid-season PositionPlayerTransferred ToRef Puttipat Kaewsawad SKN St. Pölten First Team End of loan Danie Hafiy Lion City Sailors U21 U21 End of loan
Retained / extension PositionPlayerRef Zaiful Nizam 1.5 years contract from Jan 2024 till Jun 2025 Jordan Nicolas Vestering 1.5 years contract from Jan 2024 till Jun 2025 Anders Aplin 1.5 years contract from Jan 2024 till Jun 2025 Nazrul Nazari 1.5 years contract from Jan 2024 till Jun 2025 Shahdan Sulaiman 1.5 years contract from Jan 2024 till Jun 2025 Umar Ramle 1.5 years contract from Jan 2024 till Jun 2025 Kristijan Krajcek 1.5 years contract from Jan 2024 till Jun 2025 Hazzuwan Halim 1.5 years contract from Jan 2024 till Jun 2025 Gabriel Quak 1.5 years contract from Jan 2024 till Jun 2025
Friendly Pre-season
2024 SPL Interim Tournament – 23 Feb to 21 Apr
SMJ Cup 2024
Notes
Team statistics
Appearances and goals