Baihakki Khaizan

Baihakki bin Khaizan (born 31 January 1984 ) is a Singaporean former footballer who last played as a centre-back for Singapore Premier League club Tampines Rovers and the Singapore national team.

Baihakki is known to be one of the best defenders in the Southeast Asia region during his time as a footballer.

He had piled his career playing in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

Along with Khairul Amri, Shahril Ishak and Hassan Sunny, Baihakki was in the pioneer batch of the National Football Academy in 2000.

An ever-present for Singapore so far, Baihakki rise to prominence has been an extremely swift one.

He is recognised as one of the best centre-backs in the region with his tough tackling no nonsense approach often putting fear into opposition forwards.

In the National Football Academy age-group squads, he caught the eye with his 1.9m stature, instinctive confidence and composure at the back.

Signing on with Geylang United in 2003, Baihakki took the 2003 S.League Young Player of the Year award in his debut S.League season.

After learning his craft alongside former Singapore international Lim Tong Hai, a player he considers a big influence

In 2004, the lanky defender then moved to Young Lions ahead of the 2004 S.League season and captained the team throughout the season.

Baihakki nearly missed out playing for the 2007 S.League season after MINDEF refused to release him to play as he was serving National Service.

However, he got the green light after a few games into the season.

In 2008, he return to his previous club but again, his army conscription clashed with his football career, and thus he missed the first few games of the new season for his new team, Geylang United.

In September 2009, Khaizan agreed terms with Indonesia Super League side, Persija Jakarta, along with his Singaporean compatriot, Mustafic Fahrudin to join them before the 2009–10 Indonesia Super League started in October.

During his first season, he managed to score 3 goals in 39 appearances.

In a controversial decision, Baihakki left Persija Jakarta for fierce rivals, Persib Bandung at the end of the 2009-10 Indonesia Super League season.

At Persib Bandung, he linked up with his Singaporean compatriot, Shahril Ishak, who also signed for the Indonesian club.

Baihakki's stint at Persib was cut short as he was released from the club after 6 months.

On 16 February 2011, Baihakki signed a two-year deal with Medan Chiefs worth approximately US$300,000, along with Shahril Ishak, who was also released by Persib.

Baihakki returned to Singapore with newly formed team, LionsXII, that was competing in the Malaysia Super League.

He scored their first ever goal in their league debut against Kelantan FA on 10 January 2012.

Baihakki went on to win his first Malaysia Super League title with LionsXII during the 2013 Malaysia Super League season.

In 2014, Baihakki signed a four-year contract with Malaysian Super League team, Johor Darul Takzim.

After a series of unimpressive performances, he was de-registered from the squad on 18 April 2014 and replaced with Marcos Antonio Elias Santos.

Baihakki rejoined LionsXII on loan in May 2014.

As part of his release, he would not face former club Johor Darul Ta'zim in their upcoming league fixture.

Baihakki returned to Malaysia and made his Johor Darul Takzim II debut in the 2015 Malaysia Premier League season.

Baihakki joins Warriors FC to play in the S.League for the 2017 campaign together with the Singapore captain, Shahril Ishak.

Following the end of the season, Baihakki was not offered a contract extension and was left without a club and was reportedly considering his options with offers from several clubs within the region.

He went for a trial with Saudi Arabian second-tier side, Jeddah Club after he was set up by his agent while on an Umrah pilgrimage trip with his family.

After impressing in a 5-day trial, Baihakki was offered a 4-month contract by the Saudi side until the end of the season.

After declining to play in the Middle East, Baihakki was offered a contract to play with Kuala Lumpur FA.

However, a last minute deal was offered to him to play in the Thai League 1 and on 26 January 2018, he signed a contract with 4 time-league winner, Muangthong United ahead of the 2018 season.

After signing with Muangthong United, On 5 February 2018, Baihakki was immediately loaned out to Thai League 2 side, Udon Thani.

He scored his first goal in a 3–0 victory against Thai Honda FC, becoming the first Singaporean to score in the Thai league.

On 11 January 2019, Baihakki signed a one-year deal with newly promoted club Thai League 1 club Trat.

He has racked up two goals and an assist in his first 13 games for the club.

On 3 January 2020, Baihakki signed for 2019 Thai League Cup winners PT Prachuap for the 2020 Thai League 1 season.

After 2 years in Thailand, Baihakki returned to Singapore to inked an 18-month deal with Tampines Rovers on 14 June 2020.

Under the terms of the contract, Baihakki would play for free this season, should the 2020 Singapore Premier League resume after being suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.