The biggest names to play in the Singapore Premier League – now joined by Keisuke Honda

One of the biggest names to grace Singapore football’s top flight, Pennant’s arrival brought both excitement and trepidation.

After all, his career had been marred by controversy and off-the-field issues, including a drink-driving conviction.

He arrived in Singapore to much fanfare and was even mobbed by fans after a pre-season friendly.

But his star-studded Tampines side, headlined by the former Liverpool and Arsenal winger, could only finish second in the league and also fell short in the cup competitions.

With his best years clearly behind him, Pennant, earning a reported S$20,000 a month, scored five goals in 32 appearances for Tampines.

Eventually, he left at the end of the season when the club decided to cut costs by reducing wages. 

“He’s a great player, but no player makes the team,” club chairman Krishna Ramachandra said at the time.

“While the club could afford his wages, it would also send the wrong message to all the other players that one player is getting a super-scale salary while the others have to take a pay cut,” he added.