5 days ago
Mumbai-Born Yohaan Benjamin Signs Two-Year Deal with Guarda FC
Yohaan Benjamin is a young football player from Mumbai, India.
He has signed a two-year contract with Guarda FC in Portugal.
The move still needs international clearance and visa approval.
Yohaan learned football at several academies before playing for Shillong Lajong.
He scored nine goals in the 2024 Shillong Premier League and helped his team win the title.
He later played for NK Bravo’s under-19 team in Slovenia.
He became the first Indian footballer to play in the UEFA Youth League.
Guarda FC hopes to help him and other young players from Asia develop in European football.
Indian youth international Yohaan Benjamin signed a two-year deal with Portugal’s Guarda FC.
The move remains subject to international clearance and visa formalities.
Benjamin previously played for Shillong Lajong and NK Bravo U19 in Slovenia.
He scored nine goals in 13 matches in the 2023–24 AIFF Youth League.
He became the first Indian footballer to feature in the UEFA Youth League.
- Who
- Mumbai-born Indian youth international Yohaan Benjamin and Portugal’s Guarda FC.
- What
- Benjamin signed a two-year deal with Guarda FC, subject to clearance and visa formalities.
- Where
- Guarda, Portugal.
- When
- The signing was announced on Thursday; the specific date was not stated.
- Why
- The move is intended to support Benjamin’s development and Guarda FC’s plan to create European pathways for emerging talent from India, Asia and other developing football markets.
Key facts
- Contract
- Two-year deal with Guarda FC
- Status
- Subject to international clearance and visa formalities
- Previous club
- NK Bravo U19 in Slovenia
- Shillong Lajong record
- Nine goals in the 2024 Shillong Premier League
- AIFF Youth League record
- Nine goals in 13 matches during the 2023–24 season
- International experience
- Represented India at the 2025 SAFF U-19 Championship
- UEFA Youth League milestone
- First Indian footballer to feature in the competition
Quotes
Yohaan Benjamin
Mumbai-born Indian midfielder and youth international
“Yohaan’s signing is an important step in our vision of identifying and developing talent from India, Asia and other emerging football markets. We believe there is a huge pool of talented young players in the region, and our goal is to provide them with a pathway into European football.”
thehansindia.com
“Signing for Guarda FC means a lot to me. It’s another important step in my journey in Europe and an opportunity to keep growing, competing and proving myself at a higher level. I’m grateful to the club for believing in me and giving me this opportunity.”
thehansindia.com
