Tan's performances during training for Balestier Khalsa led to his debut in 1999 after he impressed Tigers coach PN Sivaji.
[1] Tan has turned out for S.League sides Balestier Khalsa,[2] Sengkang Marine[3] and Tanjong Pagar United[4] as well as two stints with Singapore Cricket Club[5] in the NFL Division 1 before making the switch to Admiralty FC in 2012.
Tan had an on-pitch fight with Gusta Guzarishah during a match between Balestier Khalsa and Home United in 1999.
[8] In 2007, Tan was punished by Sengkang Punggol after his side's 4-3 win over Phnom Penh Empire in a Singapore Cup first-round match for shouting obscenities at his coach, Jörg Steinebruner[9] after he was reprimanded for his poor performance on the pitch that day.
[10] Tan was included in the 2002 Tiger Cup squad after his convincing displays in the S.League for Balestier Khalsa.