Muhammad Shakir Hamzah

Muhammad Shakir bin Hamzah (born 20 October 1992), better known as Shakir Hamzah or just Shakir, is a Singaporean professional footballer who plays either as a left-back or centre-back for Singapore Premier League club Geylang International and the Singapore national team.

Club career

Young Lions Shakir began his career with Young Lions in the 2009 S.League after graduating from the National Football Academy.

LionsXII In December 2011, Shakir was named in the newly formed LionsXII squad for the 2012 Malaysia Super League. He played on the left side of defence as the Lions won the 2013 Malaysia Super League title.

In June 2013, Shakir served four days of detention for going absent without leave from his National Service. He had travelled away with the LionsXII squad for a Super League match with Pahang on 17 May without obtaining official approval. He was suspended from all football activities by the Football Association of Singapore pending an investigation and was later fined S$4,000 and ordered to serve 30 hours of community service in football-related activities.

Tampines Rovers Following the disbandment of the LionsXII, Shakir signed for S.League powerhouse Tampines Rovers on a two-year contract.

Home United Shakir was released by Tampines following the conclusion of the 2017 S.League season due to disciplinary issues. He was subsequently signed by Home United for the newly revamp 2018 Singapore Premier League season.

Kedah Darul Aman On 12 December 2018, Shakir signed for Malaysia Super League club, Kedah Darul Aman for the 2019 season. His first season for the Malaysian side was a success; playing as a centre back, he scored 4 goals for the club and was named in the 2019 Malaysia Super League 'Team of the Season' while also helping his side advancing all the way to the 2019 Malaysia FA Cup Final. Shakir won the 2019 Malaysia FA Cup in his first season with the club.

Perak In December 2020, Shakir had joined Perak a year after joining Kedah Darul Aman.

In May 2021, Shakir left Perak after mutually consenting to termination of his contract due to Perak's financial problems.

Tanjong Pagar United On 16 July 2021, Shakir officially signed for Tanjong Pagar United and return to Singapore Premier League. Shakir make his first appearance for Tanjong Pagar against Geylang International when Delwinder Singh was injured before the match and replaced him. He followed up with his second international goal in a 3–2 friendly win over Maldives at the Singapore National Stadium. It was also his second consecutive international goal.

On 13 June 2017, He was locally famous for trying to score from the side of the halfway line into the back of the net against Argentina.

On 10 September 2019, Shakir scored a volley with his weak foot to secure a famous 2–1 victory against Palestine at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

In June 2021, Shakir pulled out of the Singapore team before Singapore's World Cup qualifying match against Saudi Arabia. Shakir responded that he had to return to Malaysia to handle legal matters moving his family from Malaysia to Singapore. On 14 December 2021, Shakir scored the second goal against Timor-Leste in a 2-0 win during the group stage of the tournament. Shakir was stretchered out and was substituted for the match.

After nearly a year being injured, Shakir returned to the national team playing in the friendly against Maldives on 17 December 2022 in which he was called up to the 2022 AFF Championship squad.

Others Singapore Selection Squad Shakir was part of the Singapore Selection squad for The Sultan of Selangor's Cup held on 6 May 2017.

Personal life

Shakir is the son of former Singapore left-back Hamzah Haron.

Career statistics

Club

. Caps and goals may not be correct.

Young Lions and LionsXII are ineligible for qualification to AFC competitions in their respective leagues. Young Lions withdrew from the Singapore Cup and Singapore League Cup in 2011 due to scheduled participation in the 2011 AFF U-23 Youth Championship.

International statistics Statistics accurate as of match played 5 March 2014

International caps

International goals Scores and results list Singapore's goal tally first.

U19 International caps

Honours

Club LionsXII Malaysia Super League: 2013 Malaysia FA Cup: 2015

Kedah

Malaysia FA Cup: 2019 Malaysia Super League Runners-up: 2020 Malaysia Cup Runners-up: 2019

Individual

Malaysia Super League Team of the Season: 2019