Singapore Premier League champions Lion City Sailors FC have confirmed Belgian winger Maxime Lestienne will leave the club later this month after almost four years with the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™ participants.
Lestienne has decided not to extend his contract with Lion City, who he joined in February 2022 on a free transfer after a three-and-a-half-season spell with Standard Liège.
“These four years have been among the most special of my career,” Lestienne said. “Singapore became home, and the Sailors became my family.
“I’m so proud of what we achieved together. We won trophies, brought the club back to the top, and, most importantly, made significant breakthroughs on the international stage in the AFC Champions League Two. All these memories will stay with me forever.
“However, after many years away, it is now time for me to return home and be closer to my loved ones. This was a difficult decision, but the right one for my family and me.
“I want to thank the fans, my teammates, the coaches, and everyone at the club for making me feel welcome from day one. The Lion City Sailors will always have a special place in my heart.”
Lestienne was a key member of the Lion City squad that won the 2024/25 Singapore Premier League title and who also reached the final of the AFC Champions League Two in the same season.
He was named the Singapore Premier League Player of the Year in 2023, when he was the league’s leading scorer and also won the Singapore Cup.
Lestienne played five times in the inaugural Shopee Cup™ for Lion City, scoring once, and was also on target in his only appearance so far in the current edition of the competition when he netted in a 2-2 draw with Bangkok United FC earlier this month.
He will leave the club after the Singapore Cup semi-final second leg clash with Balestier Khalsa FC on December 20 and will be available for the club’s Shopee Cup™ clash with Shan United FC from Myanmar on December 17.
“Maxime’s contribution and impact go far beyond goals and assists,” said Lion City coach Aleksandar Ranković. “He set the benchmark for professionalism, mentality and leadership in our dressing room.
“He not only demanded the best of himself, but also elevated the players around him. His ability to step up in crucial moments was second to none, and it has been a great honour to work with him.
“While we are all sad to see him go, we understand and fully respect his decision, and we’re grateful for everything he has given to us.”
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