Hariss Harun

Hariss bin Harun (born 19 November 1990) is a Singaporean professional footballer and a property agent who plays as a defensive-midfielder and captains both Singapore Premier League club Lion City Sailors and the Singapore national team.

He is Singapore's youngest debutant, making his first international appearance at the age of 16 and 217 days.

Hariss is known for being a versatile player with combative and play-making abilities.

Predominantly a defensive-midfielder, Hariss has played as a central-midfielder, centre-back, right-back, or as an attacking-midfielder.

He is recognised for his leadership skills and is the former captain of LionsXII and Johor Darul Ta'zim respectively.

Hariss began his career along with Young Lions in the S.League in 2007.

He became the youngest S-League player in 2007, aged 16 years 3 months and 18 days.

The Football Association of Singapore had granted Hariss special dispensation from a rule that allowed players only of 18 years and above to play.

In August 2007, he was Singapore's winner of Nike's 'Who's The Next' contest and secured a training stint at FC Barcelona's famed academy, La Masia.

He trained at the Catalans' youth academy for a week, along with 13 other players from six Asia Pacific countries including South Korea and Japan.

He captained the players in three friendly games against players from FC Barcelona's youth academy.

Hariss impressed the trainers and returning a week later with the MVP award.

2008 proved to be a difficult year for Hariss as he tore his ligaments in a league match against Super Reds on 26 May when Oh Ddog Yi fell on his right knee.

The injury ruled him out for a year, causing him to miss the rest of Singapore's World Cup qualifying campaign as well as the 2008 ASEAN Football Championship.

With the help of the Football Association of Singapore and the national team coach Raddy Avramovic, Hariss underwent a 10-day trial with Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua in July 2010, but was ultimately not offered a contract.

Injury would strike Hariss again in 2010, when he suffered a right leg fracture in a match against India at the 2010 Asian Games on 11 November 2010.

The duration of six weeks that Hariss required for the recovery of his fracture eventually meant that he missed out on a second consecutive ASEAN Football Championship.

Hariss' performances were recognized with the S.League Young Player of the Year award in 2010.

In December 2011, Hariss was called up to join LionsXII to compete in the 2012 Malaysia Super League.

He made his LionsXII debut in a league match against Kelantan in January 2012.

Hariss missed the start of the 2013 season following a broken right fibula sustained in the 2012 ASEAN Football Championship match against Indonesia.

He made his return as a 20th-minute substitute in a 3–0 Super League win over Pahang on 16 February.

His first goal of the season came three days later four minutes into a 2–2 draw with Johor Darul Ta'zim.

Hariss played a pivotal role for the club as LionsXII capped the successful 2013 season as eventual champions of the Malaysia Super League with an unbeaten home record.

In July 2013, Hariss Harun rejected the offer of a contract from the Portuguese Primeira Liga side, Rio Ave.

National Service commitments and salary issues were speculated as reasons why the deal broke down, despite the help of Singapore billionaire Peter Lim and agent Jorge Mendes.

Mendes had been negotiating with clubs for one year for Hariss to further his career in Europe.

Had Hariss moved abroad, Hariss would have followed the likes of former Singaporean internationals Fandi Ahmad and V. Sundramoorthy in playing for European clubs.

Following Hariss' decision not to join Rio Ave, Malaysia Super League side Johor Darul Ta'zim moved quickly to confirm his signing in a two-year deal worth over US$20,000 (S$25,000) per month in November 2013.

On 11 February, Hariss scored his first goal for the club against Kedah in a Malaysia FA Cup match.

4 days later, Hariss scored his first league goal for the club in a Super League match against Selangor.

In his first season, Hariss helped Johor win their first Malaysian Super League title.

On 31 October 2015, he helped Johor Darul Ta'zim win the 2015 Malaysia Super League and their first 2015 AFC Cup Final against FC Istiklol in Tajikistan making him the first Singaporean to win the trophy.

On 9 November 2015, Hariss signed a new 2-year contract with the club, with a monthly salary of US$30,000 (S$42,700) a month, making him the highest paid Singaporean footballer in history.

He scored a header from a corner on the opening match day of the 2016 Malaysia Super League against Selangor FA which ended 1–1 with Johor Darul Ta'zim winning the 2016 Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Cup on penalties (7–6).

His first goal came on the 19th minute against Sabah on 21 January.

Hariss' goalscoring form against Sabah would continue when the stand-in captain scored his first career hat-trick in a record 9–0 win on 16 June.

He scored with a volley three minutes after Agu Casmir's 19th-minute opener and added a second in the 41st minute.

He completed his hat-trick with a Shaiful Esah assist on 73 minutes only.

Hariss made 34 appearances and scored 5 goals in all competitions as LionsXII finished runners-up in their first season back in Malaysian football.