SINGAPORE – Back with the Lion City Sailors since the start of the season, Song Ui-young has revelled in a new midfield role, with the same unstinting support to his teammates.

What has changed is his status off the pitch, with the national player tying the knot with his girlfriend in South Korea in May.

Speaking to The Straits Times at the club’s Mattar Road headquarters, Song looked blissful with his new roles in life.

“I’m very happy with my wife, life is more stable now and we’re planning our future together,” said the 30-year-old. 

While he declined to give details about his spouse, he added: “She’s very supportive of me, when I’m tired she will prepare a good meal and let me rest to recover well. She helps me a lot.”

He is also grateful to Sailors coach Aleksandar Rankovic, who converted him to a box-to-box midfielder. The 45-year-old Serb was appointed in June 2023, months after Song ended his first stint with the Sailors.

He spent about a year plying his trade with Thailand’s Nongbua Pitchaya and Indonesia’s Persebaya before returning to the Sailors for his second stint in March 2024.

While his earlier role with the Bishan-based club was to “score and assist goals”, now it is more about helping teammates like Belgian winger Maxime Lestienne, Dutch midfielder Bart Ramselaar and latest acquisition Lennart Thy up front.

Song, who racked up 13 goals and four assists in the 2022 Singapore Premier League (SPL) campaign, enjoys wreaking havoc in the opponents’ backline, but is also revelling in his new responsibilities.

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