Faris Ramli joins Home United
With Safuwan off to PDRM, only two ex-LionsXII players are without clubs
They dished out some of the best football seen in the Great Eastern-Yeo's S.League in 2015, and Home United have added more firepower to their squad in the lead-up to the 21st edition of the only professional sports league in the country.
After the acquisition of Zulfahmi Arifin and Khairul Nizam from the now-defunct LionsXII, Home coach Philippe Aw moved to secure the signature of winger Faris Ramli.
Shahdan Sulaiman signed for Tampines Rovers three days ago and, with Faris putting pen to paper to join Home yesterday, there are only two players - Izwan Mahbud and 2014 captain Isa Halim - in Fandi Ahmad's extended squad of 28 left with their future still undecided.
Versatile star Safuwan Baharudin confirmed on his instagram account last night that he will join Malaysian side PDRM FA, saying: "Here we go the cops!"
PDRM are the side representing the Malaysian police in the Malaysian Super League.
While the local S.League clubs have moved swiftly to tie up the talents in Fandi Ahmad's squad, Aw seems to have secured an attacking line-up that can re-establish themselves as serious title contenders next season.
Faris was the hero for the LionsXII in the Malaysian FA Cup final, scoring the first of the three goals in a 3-1 win over Kelantan. He will give his new club much-needed width and wizardry.
The Protectors have re-signed Danish hitman Ken Ilso, while sources revealed that South-east Asia Games frontman Irfan Fandi Ahmad has also joined the Bishan-based club.
Home have also moved for Mahathir Azeman, a midfielder who spent some two years with Brazilian club Boavista and returned home only because of National Service commitments.
Mahathir made the No. 10 shirt at Boavista his own, in a country where the number is worn by illustrious names such as Neymar and Ronaldinho.
Aw's side finished sixth in the 10-team league last season and finished runners-up to Japanese side Albirex Niigata in the RHB Singapore Cup.
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now