Singapore Premier League#Top scorers

Singapore had been represented in the Malaysia Cup through the Singapore Lions since 1921. The Lions were one of the most successful teams in the competition, having won it 24 times from 1921 to 1994. Following a dispute over gate receipts between the FAS and FAM{{cite news|author=Joe Dorai|title=Malaysian states want 15 per cent levy to play at Kallang|newspaper=The Straits Times|page=31|date=17 January 1995}} after winning the league and cup double in 1994, the Lions withdrew from the Malaysian competitions.

Subsequently, FAS decided to build a professional league system. However, as it was estimated to take about a year to put in place the structure of a professional league, the Singapore Lions were given match practice in what was then the top level of domestic football, the semi-professional FAS Premier League. This team won the last FAS Premier League title, finishing the season unbeaten.

The S.League was founded in 1996. The FAS invited applications for clubs to compete in the newly formed league. Eight successful applications were made. Two clubs from the Premier League – powerhouse Geylang International (renamed Geylang United; 6 consecutive Premier League titles) and Balestier United (renamed Balestier Central – joined six from the amateur National Football League – Police SA, Singapore Armed Forces (SAFFC), Tampines Rovers, Tiong Bahru United, Wellington (renamed Woodlands Wellington) and Sembawang Rangers (merger of Gibraltar Crescent and Sembawang SC) – for the inaugural edition of the S.League. The season was split into the two series. Tiger Beer Series winners Geylang United defeated Pioneer Series winners SAFFC 2–1 in the end of season championship playoff to be crowned the 1st S.League champions.{{cite news| title=Geylang wins S-League's Championship match| newspaper=The Straits Times| date=10 November 1996}} The 30,000 crowd at the playoff remains the record attendance in the S.League.

Police FC renamed themselves as Home United for the 1997 season to reflect their representation of not only the Singapore Police Force, but also other HomeTeam Departments of the Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs such as the SCDF and the ICA. NFL side Jurong Town, who renamed themselves Jurong FC, joined the competition taking the number of participating clubs to 9. The league switched from its previous format to a round-robin competition. Singapore Armed Forces won their first title.

Gombak United and Marine Castle United joined the S.League in 1998, further taking the number of clubs to 11. Tiong Bahru United renamed themselves to Tanjong Pagar United at the start of the season. Singapore Armed Forces won their second consecutive title.

Clementi Khalsa joined the S.League in 1999 as a representative of the Sikh community in Singapore. The league took on 12 teams for the next five years. Home United won their first title.

During the 2000s, the FAS decided to invite foreign clubs to the league to increase league competitiveness. Sinchi, a side composed of Chinese players became the first foreign club to participate in 2003. Chinese nationals Shi Jiayi and Qiu Li went on to become naturalised Singapore players.

Sporting Afrique, a club made up of African players, and Super Reds, a side comprising South Korean players, became the third and fourth foreign clubs to join the competition in 2006 and 2007 respectively. Sporting Afrique were refused entry into the 2007 S.League due to off-field controversies and poor performance. In 2010, Super Reds were denied a place after three seasons following attempts to convert into a team of local players.

Chinese Super League clubs Liaoning (2007), Dalian Shide (2008) and Beijing Guoan (2010) entered their feeder clubs in the S.League. All three clubs each lasted one season before being pulled out of the league due to poor performances and disciplinary issues. Bruneian club DPMM joined the S.League in 2009 before being pulled from the league as a result of a FIFA ban. They re-entered the league from 2012. They were the first club to base themselves outside of Singapore. In 2010, French club Étoile became the first foreign side to win the S.League. Etoile pulled out of the S.League prior to the 2012 season to focus on grassroots football and youth development.

In 2012, Malaysia national youth sides Harimau Muda A and Harimau Muda B joined the S.League following an agreement between the Football Association of Singapore and the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to send their representative sides into their respective domestic competitions. Singaporean side LionsXII returned to the Malaysian competitions in 2012. Echoing the former Singapore FA, the LionsXII quickly became a successful force in the Malaysian league system during its short stint, winning the league title in 2013 as well as the FA Cup in 2015.

However, on 25 November 2015, the FAM decided not to extend their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the FAS. This automatically disqualified LionsXII from further entering any football tournament in Malaysia. Similarly, Malaysia's squad Harimau Muda did not participate in the Singapore League from then onwards.{{cite web | url=http://www.todayonline.com/sports/football/singapores-lionsxii-booted-out-malaysia-football | title=Singapore's LionsXII booted out of Malaysia football | publisher=TodayOnline | date=25 November 2015 | access-date=1 May 2016 | archive-date=24 September 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924064107/https://www.todayonline.com/sports/football/singapores-lionsxii-booted-out-malaysia-football | url-status=live }}

J.League club Albirex Niigata entered their feeder club Albirex Niigata Singapore in the 2004 S.League. The club became the most established foreign side in the S.League, drawing on the support the Japanese expatriate community and some local fans. As of 2023, they are the foreign side with the longest involvement in Singaporean football.

The league took on a number of changes for the 2015 season to increase its competitiveness.{{cite news|last1=Osman|first1=Shamir|title=Only 10 teams in S.League next year|url=http://news.asiaone.com/news/sports/football-smaller-10-team-s-league-next-season|access-date=6 November 2014|newspaper=The New Paper|date=4 November 2014|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304043019/http://news.asiaone.com/news/sports/football-smaller-10-team-s-league-next-season|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last1=Low|first1=Lin Fhoong|title=Changes will make S-League 'stronger, more competitive'|url=http://www.todayonline.com/sports/football/changes-will-make-s-league-stronger-more-competitive|access-date=6 November 2014|newspaper=Today|date=6 November 2014|archive-date=5 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105230037/http://www.todayonline.com/sports/football/changes-will-make-s-league-stronger-more-competitive|url-status=live}} The number of clubs was reduced from 12 to 10, with the withdrawal of Tanjong Pagar United due to financial problems, and the merger of Woodlands Wellington and Hougang United.{{cite news|last1=Low|first1=Lin Fhoong|title=Uncertainty over S-League's changes for 2015|url=http://www.todayonline.com/sports/football/uncertainty-over-s-leagues-changes-2015?singlepage=true|access-date=5 November 2014|newspaper=Today|date=5 November 2014|archive-date=5 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105001345/http://www.todayonline.com/sports/football/uncertainty-over-s-leagues-changes-2015?singlepage=true|url-status=live}} The league returned to a three-round format used from 2001 to 2011. The foreign player quota remained at five per club, but incentives were given to those who signed an under-21 player. The passing time for the mandatory 2.4 km fitness test was lowered from 10 mins to 9 mins 45 s. A new rule on age restrictions – a maximum of five players aged 30 and above and a minimum of three under-25 players for clubs with a 22-man squad, a maximum of four players aged 30 and above and a minimum of two under-25 players for clubs with a 20-man squad – was later reversed.{{cite news|last1=Phua|first1=Emmanuel|title=Players ambivalent about S-League U-turn|url=http://www.todayonline.com/sports/football/players-ambivalent-about-s-league-u-turn?singlepage=true|access-date=24 November 2014|work=Today|date=24 November 2014|archive-date=24 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141124004602/http://www.todayonline.com/sports/football/players-ambivalent-about-s-league-u-turn?singlepage=true|url-status=live}}

The league was rebranded as the Singapore Premier League on 21 March 2018. Further revamps were also made to see a greater emphasis on local youth players in a bid to strengthen the national side; this, in effect, has resulted in a number of senior as well as local and foreign stars being purchased by overseas clubs.[http://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/football-goodbye-s-league-welcome-singapore-premier-league Football: Goodbye S-League, welcome Singapore Premier League] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704034914/https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/football-goodbye-s-league-welcome-singapore-premier-league |date=4 July 2019 }} The Straits Times, 21 March 2018

Singapore Premier League clubs can sign a maximum of four foreign players in the 2020 season, up from three as compared in the 2019 season. In the 2022 season, All eight team will play a four-round format for the first time in its entire league history. The 2024–25 Singapore Premier League season will be the first season to have a two-year schedule in the league history.

Teams receive three points for a win and one point for a draw. No points are awarded for a loss. Teams are ranked by total points, then goal difference, and then goals scored.

At the end of each season, the club with the most points is crowned league champion. If the points, goal difference, goals scored, and head-to-head results between teams are equal, head-to-head records between the teams are used, followed by a better fair play record.

There is no relegation or promotion system in the league. Clubs enter the Singapore Premier League by invitation of the Football Association of Singapore.

A total of 25 clubs have played in the league from its inception in 1996 up to and including the 2022 season. The following 9 clubs are competing in the league during the 2023 season. There are two non-Singaporean clubs that currently compete in the Singapore Premier League – Albirex Niigata (S) is a satellite team of the Japanese club of the same name and DPMM of the Brunei.

Balestier Khalsa, Geylang International and Tampines Rovers are clubs that have played in all 28 seasons of the Singapore Premier League as of 2024.

{{small|Years indicates seasons active in the league.}}

{{small|Years indicates seasons active in the league}}

{{small|Domestic based are foreign clubs which are based in Singapore.}}

After an inaugural season with no sponsorship, the league was sponsored by Great Eastern from 2009 until 2018 where Yeo's and Hyundai become the joint sponsorship, during which time it was known as the Great Eastern-Yeo's S.League and the Great Eastern-Hyundai S.League. In 2019, Hong Kong-based multinational insurance and finance corporation sponsored the league as their main sponsor.

For the 2018 season, the league was rebranded as the Singapore Premier League.

{{Unreferenced section|date=September 2022}}

The league's winners qualify for the AFC Champions League, while Singapore Cup winners qualify for the AFC Cup playoff spot. In the event of the same club winning both the S.League and Singapore Cup, the runners-up of the league takes up the AFC Cup qualification spot. Foreign clubs are ineligible to represent the Football Association of Singapore in AFC continental competitions. The qualification spot is given to the next best-placed local club in the league if a foreign club wins any of the two competitions.

The league has seen seven clubs win the title since its inception. Warriors FC (formerly Singapore Armed Forces FC) hold the most titles at nine. In 2010, Étoile became the first foreign side to win the competition.{{cite web|url=http://www.sleague.com/competitions/s-league/overview|title=S.League overview|website=S.League|access-date=6 March 2014|archive-date=22 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822234311/http://www.sleague.com/competitions/s-league/overview|url-status=usurped}}

* The inaugural season of the S.League was split into two series. The winners of each series completed in a championship playoff in which Geylang United defeated Singapore Armed Forces to claim the first S.League title.

{{Main|Singapore Premier League Awards Night}}

• Player of the Year
• Young Player of the Year
• Coach of the Year
• Team of the Year
• Goal of the Year
• Top Scorer
• Golden Glove
• Fair Play Award
• People's Choice Award
• Dollah Kassim Award

The all-time Singapore Premier League table is a cumulative record of all match results, points and goals of every team that has played in the league since its inception in 1996. The table that follows is accurate as of the end of the 2023 season. Teams in bold are part of the 2024/25 season.

• Most titles: 9, Warriors
• Most consecutive title wins: 4, Warriors (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
• Biggest title-winning margin: 23 points, 2018; Albirex Niigata (S) (66 points) over Home United (43 points)
• Smallest title-winning margin: 1998 season; 0 points and +5 goal difference
• – SAFFC (+29) over Tanjong Pagar United (+24) Both finished on 46 points, but SAFFC won the title with a superior goal difference, the only time that goal difference has decided the League title in history.
• Most points in a season: 84 points, SAFFC (2002)
• Most wins in total: 389, Tampines Rovers
• Most wins in a season: 26, SAFFC (2002)
• The biggest home win: 9–0
• SAFFC 9–0 Sembawang Rangers (15 June 2002)
• Tampines Rovers 9–0 Tanjong Pagar United (16 March 2004)
• The biggest away win: 1–10
• Young Lions 1–10 Lion City Sailors (13 August 2022)
• Matches with most goals: 4–9
• Hougang United 4–9 Lion City Sailors (26 August 2022)
• Most defeats in total: 371, Balestier Khalsa
• Most defeats in a season: 25, Gombak United (2002)
• Most draws in total: 120, Woodlands Wellington
• Most goals scored in a season: 104
• SAFFC (2002)
• Home United (2003)
• Most goals conceded in a season: 103, Young Lions (2022)
• Fewest goals conceded in a season: 11, Tampines Rovers (2020)

• Matches with most bookings: 13, Étoile vs Woodlands Wellington (11 March 2010)
• Match days with most bookings: 37 yellow cards, 1 red card – 2010 season: Matchday 30
• Match day with most sending off: 4 red cards – 2015 season: Matchday 17
• Matches with most penalties: 4
• Tanjong Pagar United vs Young Lions (1 October 2022)
• Harimau Muda A vs Woodlands Wellington (15 April 2012)
• Matches with the highest number of spectators: 18,942
• Albirex Niigata (S) 2–1 Tampines Rovers (at Singapore National Stadium on 31 March 2018)
• Match days with the most goals: 37 – 2002 season: Matchday 28
• Match days with the least goals: 11 – 2000 season: Matchday 11
• Most Golden Boot Winners: 9
• SAFFC (1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2009)
• Most Golden Gloves Winners: 8
• Albirex Niigata (S) (2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023)

• Most league appearances: 518
• {{Flag icon|SGP}} Daniel Bennett
• Most goals scored: 385
• {{Flag icon|SGP}} Aleksandar Đurić
• Most goals scored in one match: 5
• {{Flag icon|Belarus}} Andrey Voronkov, 69 minute (against Balestier Khalsa on 13 April 2019 in a 7–1 win)
• {{Flag icon|Japan}} Reo Nishiguchi, 79 minute (against Young Lions on 1 October 2022 in a 8–1 win)
• {{Flag icon|Japan}} Tsubasa Sano, 83 minute (against Young Lions on 26 May 2017 in a 8–0 win)
• Most league titles won: 8
• {{Flag icon|SGP}} Aleksandar Đurić
• Top goal scorer in a single league season: 42
• {{Flag icon|SGP}} Tomoyuki Doi (During the 2025 season)
• Most different clubs played for: 8
• {{Flag icon|SGP}} Farizal Basri (Tampines Rovers, Young Lions, SAFFC, Balestier Khalsa, Geylang United, Sengkang Punggol, Home United and Woodlands Wellington)
• Oldest player:
• {{Flag icon|BRU}} Alizanda Sitom, 46 years 9 months 26 days old (for DPMM vs Home United on 25 May 2017)
• Oldest outfield player:
• {{Flag icon|SGP}} Daniel Bennett, 44 years 9 months 13 days old (for Tanjong Pagar United vs Tampines Rovers on 20 October 2022)
• Oldest goal scorers:
• {{Flag icon|SGP}} Daniel Bennett ~ 44 years 7 months 27 days old (On 3 September 2022 vs Hougang United)
• Youngest player:
• {{Flag icon|SGP}} Nathan Mao, 15 years 5 days old (for Lion City Sailors vs Tampines Rovers on 31 March 2023)
• Youngest Goal scorers:
• {{Flag icon|BRU}} Hakeme Yazid Said, 16 years 5 months 25 days old (for DPMM vs Geylang International on 2 August 2019)
• Most seasons appeared in: 26
• {{Flag icon|SGP}} Daniel Bennett (every season from 1996 to 2022)
• Most Successful debuts:
• {{Flag icon|SGP}} John Wilkinson (scored 4 goals on his Geylang United debut against Home United on 1 March 2005)
• Most Unsuccessful debuts:
• {{Flag icon|SGP}} Stanely Ng (Red card within 4 minutes into his debut for Geylang United against Young Lions on 3 March 2011)
• Number of matches that a outfield player that haven't yet scored a goal: 219
• {{Flag icon|SGP}} Nor Azli Yusoff (for Young Lions, Balestier Khalsa, Gombak United, Hougang United, Home United, Tanjong Pagar United and Geylang International)

• Most league title won by a coach: 4
• {{Flag icon|SGP}} Richard Bok (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
• {{Flag icon|Japan}} Kazuaki Yoshinaga (2017, 2018, 2022, 2023)
• Most matches by a coach: 123
• {{Flag icon|GER}} Jörg Steinebrunner (with Woodlands Wellington, Sengkang Punggol, Geylang International and Warriors)

• Youngest Manager: 29 years 5 months 22 days
• {{Flag icon|SGP}} Gavin Lee (for Tampines Rovers vs Balestier Khalsa on 1 March 2020)
• Oldest Manager: 69 years 7 months 4 days
• {{Flag icon|Serbia}} Radojko Avramović (for Home United vs Young Lions on 3 July 2019)
• Record transfers fee: {{Flag icon|BRA}} Diego Lopes (€1.8 million transfer from Rio Ave on 21 January 2021)
• Record transfers fee received: {{Flag icon|SGP}} Fazrul Nawaz (€45,000 transfer to Hougang United on 13 July 2018)

As of 15 April 2025.

As of 15 April 2025.

• Foreigner that naturalised as a Singaporean is not counted in the list.
• Only applicable as a player and not as a coach after their retirement.

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