Bottom of the table side Tanjong Pagar United received an early hongbao after off-loading one of their best talents.
It has been announced that the Lion City Sailors paid the Jaguars a transfer fee for the signing of promising defender Akram Azman, as the club strengthens its backline for the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign.
The 24-year-old has signed a deal with the Sailors until the end of the 2025/26 season.
As part of the agreement with Tanjong Pagar, promising Sailors Academy prospects Marcus Mosses and Izrafil Yusof will join the Jaguars on loan until the end of this season to further their development.
There was no mention of the amount paid and Transfermarkt lists his value at 75,000 pounds.
He was not part of the recent Lions squad at the ASEAN Football Federation Mitsubishi Electric Cup.
Describing this as a “dream move”, Akram is determined to give his all to help the Sailors finish the season on a high.
“It has always been a goal of mine to play for a club of this stature – one that has set the benchmark in Singapore for ambition and infrastructure,” said Akram.
“I firmly believe this is the right step for my career, and one thing is for certain: I’ll give my all for the badge and do everything I can to help us win the trophies we’re aiming for this season.”
The Sailors said that his arrival is a key addition for the second half of the season, as the club aims to contend for the SPL title, the Singapore Cup, and make their mark on the regional stage, both in the group stage of the inaugural ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup, as well as the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League (ACL) Two.
Akram — who represented Singapore at the under-23 level — has made significant strides since his professional debut for the Young Lions in 2019, said the Sailors.
“With plenty of games coming up in the next few months, we need to strengthen the team, and Akram gives us plenty of options with his versatility,” said Sailors Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković of his new signing, who has scored two goals in 13 appearances for Tanjong Pagar this season.
“His competitive nature and willingness to sacrifice for the team’s cause are qualities that will help us going forward.”
Sailors Sporting Director Badri Ghent added, “We’ve been monitoring his development for some time, and it’s admirable how he has risen to become one of the leaders at Tanjong Pagar.
“He certainly has the potential to develop into a top full-back in the future, and we’re excited to help him achieve that here.”
PHOTOS: LION CITY SAILORS
