Melbourne City FC can announce it has signed Singaporean International defender Safuwan Baharudin for the remainder of the Hyundai A-League 2014/15 season.
Baharudin, 23, has 43 international caps with Singapore’s National Team and recently attended Melbourne City FC’s training camp in Abu Dhabi from January 10 until January 19 as part of a development opportunity arranged with the Singaporean Football Association.
A versatile defender, the Singaporean impressed as centre back and fullback during the Club’s two friendly matches while in the UAE, earning himself a contract with Melbourne City FC.
Baharudin started Melbourne City FC’s friendly match against Al Jazira at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium where he performed well against Montenegro international and former Juventus striker Mirko Vucinic.
Baharudin also featured as a substitute in the side’s 1-1 draw with Ukrainian Premier League outfit FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk at New York University’s Abu Dhabi Campus.
Melbourne City FC Head Coach John van’t Schip said Baharudin would provide his squad with further depth in defence in the second half of the season.
“Safuwan is a mobile defender who is calm and composed on the ball and makes quick and good decisions,” van’t Schip 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.”
Baharudin said he was delighted to be joining Melbourne City for the rest of the current A-League season.
“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,” Baharudin 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.
“I am looking forward to doing my best for the Club and as an ambassador of Singapore. I want to make my parents and family proud of me.”
Baharudin fills Melbourne City FC’s final vacant and fifth foreign VISA position, with Jonatan Germano, Damien Duff, Robert Koren and Rob Wielaert occupying the other spots.
Player Details
Name: Safuwan Baharudin
Height: 1.82m
Weight: 68kg
Position: Centre and fullback
DOB: 22-9-91
Former Clubs: Young Lions (58 apps, 9 goals), LionsXII (52, 11)
International: Singapore (43, 2)
