Mumbai, August 28: Indian youth international player Yohan Benjamin, born in Mumbai, has signed a two-year contract with Portuguese club Guarda FC. This agreement is contingent upon international clearance and visa formalities.
In a statement released by the club, it was noted, “This contract marks a significant step in Yohan’s European football journey and aligns with Guarda FC’s mission to pave the way for emerging football talents from India, Asia, and other developing nations in football.”
Jay Agarwal, CEO of Guarda FC, expressed, “Yohan is exactly the type of player we want at Guarda FC—ambitious, committed, and hungry for success. We are thrilled to sign him for two years, pending international clearance and visa formalities. We eagerly anticipate welcoming Yohan to Guarda and look forward to seeing him establish his identity with the club. We hope this inspires many young Indians to pursue their dreams in football.”
Guarda FC manager Rui Ferreira commented, “There is a wealth of talent in India and South Asia. I believe the biggest challenge is finding and developing young players in the right way. We are not looking at just one country or market—we are searching for talent wherever it exists. Yohan is a player we believe has the potential to thrive in our environment. We are excited to help him take the next step in his career.”
Yohan Benjamin stated, “Signing with Guarda FC means a lot to me. It is another crucial step in my journey in Europe and an opportunity to keep progressing, competing, and proving myself at a higher level. I am grateful to the club for believing in me and giving me this chance.”
The midfielder began his football journey at various academies, including Conscious Football Mumbai, Football Academy of Bangalore, and Minerva Football Academy, before joining Shillong Lajong in early 2022.
During his three years with Shillong Lajong, Yohan advanced through the academy setup, gaining valuable experience with senior and reserve teams. He scored nine goals in the 2024 Shillong Premier League, helping Shillong Lajong secure the title and finish as runners-up in the Meghalaya State League.
He found success during the 2023–24 AIFF Youth League, scoring nine goals in 13 matches and earning a spot in the India Under-19 setup. Subsequently, he represented India at the 2025 SAFF Under-19 Championship before moving to NK Bravo Under-19 in Slovenia in August 2025.
His performances in Slovenia earned him a spot in the UEFA Youth League campaign with NK Bravo, making him the first Indian footballer to participate in this competition.
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