Muhammad Safuwan Baharudin

Early years

Safuwan started out playing as a striker during his Institute of Technical Education years and subsequently as a midfielder at the National Football Academy (NFA). Salim Moin, his NFA Under-17 coach, was credited with switching him to the centre-back position he currently plays in.

Young Lions

Safuwan began his professional football career with S.League club Young Lions in July 2009, after he was promoted from the National Football Academy Under-18s. Safuwan was one of the Young Lions players that got involved in an on-pitch fight with several Beijing Guoan Talent players in their S.League match on 7 September 2010. He was charged by the FAS for gross misconduct and bringing the game into disrepute, and was fined S$2,000 for his part in the brawl.

LionsXII

In December 2011, the FAS announced that Safuwan will join the newly formed LionsXII in the 2012 Malaysia Super League. The LionsXII finished runners-up in their debut season.

Safuwan formed a strong understanding with Baihakki Khaizan in central defence as LionsXII won the 2013 Malaysia Super League with the competition's best defensive record. He contributed with five goals in 26 matches. Amid interest from Thai, Indonesian and rival Malaysia Super League sides including T-Team, he put pen to paper in a new two-year deal with LionsXII in November 2013. Safuwan capped off his league performances by becoming the first male recipient of the annual Straits Times Athlete of the Year…

Youth

Safuwan was part of the Singapore U23 team that won the bronze medal at the 2009 and 2013 Southeast Asian Games.

Senior

Safuwan made his international debut for Singapore at the age of 19 in a King's Cup match against Thailand on 17 January 2010. Safuwan contributed to Singapore's then-record fourth ASEAN Football Championship win in 2012. He found himself increasingly paired with Baihakki Khaizan as regular centre-back Daniel Bennett was gradually phased out of the national team set-up. On 31 August 2017, Safuwan scored from the penalty spot to help Singapore snatch a draw against Hong Kong. Safuwan scored his first international hat-trick on 21 November 2018, helping Singapore to a 6-1 demolition of Timor-Leste in the 2018 AFF Championship. Safuwan made his 100 caps for the national team on 14 December 2021 against Timor-Leste in the 2020 AFF Championship. On 16 November 2023, Safuwan returned to the Singapore squad since June 2022 during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifications match against South Korea.

Singapore Selection

Apart from national team commitments, Safuwan was also part of the Singapore Selection XI squad on several occasions. The selected squad are made up of current Singapore international footballers, as well as players currently participating in the S.League. Safuwan has appeared in all four matches that the Singapore Selection XI has played thus far, such as in the Peter Lim Charity Cup match against 2013–14 La Liga…

Club

As of match played 21 April 2025

Young Lions and LionsXII are ineligible for qualification to AFC competitions in England their respective leagues.

International

Scores and results list Singapore's goal tally first.

Safuwan is born to Baharudin Abdul Ghani and Suria Haniffa. Safuwan married Alia Qistina, an air stewardess, in 2013. Safuwan was the first Singaporean to be featured in FIFA 15.