Punjab FC sign Brazilian defender Pablo Santos ahead of AIFF Super Cup 2025

Former Braga defender brings European experience and calmness to Punjab’s backline.

Punjab FC are building a strong squad before the start of the AIFF Super Cup 2025, as they completed the signing of Brazilian centre-back Pablo Santos for the upcoming 2025–26 season. 

The former SC Braga defender joins to strengthen the team’s defence and add much-needed experience at the back.

The 33-year-old defender, who lifted the Portuguese Cup with SC Braga in 2019–20 and the Armenian Premier League title with FC Noah in 2024–25, becomes Punjab FC’s fourth foreign signing this season, following Samir Zeljkovic, Effiong Nsungusi and Dani Ramírez, after the club decided to part ways with all their previous overseas players.

Santos is expected to form the defensive pairing with Bosnian defender Samir Zeljkovic, who also brings cup-winning experience from Europe. 

Dani Ramírez, who won the Ekstraklasa with Lech Poznań in 2022, adds further quality to the group, giving Punjab FC a firm spine of proven, trophy-winning foreigners.

“Punjab FC are also in talks to bring in a fifth foreign signing but are facing hurdles to complete the move before the Super Cup,” said a source tracking the development.

A career built on consistency and adaptability in different leagues

From the dusty pitches of Pará to the bright lights of European football, Pablo Santos’ journey has been a story of patience and persistence. Santos’ success came through patience and adaptability, thriving wherever he went without relying on hype or headlines.

He began his professional career with Paysandu SC, where he became a regular between 2012 and 2017. During that time, he made over 100 appearances, helping the club win multiple state championships and also helping them earn promotion from Series C to Series B. His consistent performances earned him a move abroad in 2017 to Portuguese club C.S. Marítimo.

At Marítimo, Santos adapted quickly to European football, scoring in key matches and earning praise for his composure in his very first season. His rise continued when SC Braga signed him before the 2018–19 season. He marked his debut with a goal against Santa Clara, showing his aerial strength and calmness under pressure.

He went on to feature in the 2019–20 UEFA Europa League qualifiers and group stage, playing eight times in the competition. Braga topped their group, which included Wolves and Beşiktaş, without losing a single game. Santos featured in five of the six group fixtures, proving his reliability at the highest level.

Over the next few seasons, he played across different leagues, from Rubin Kazan in Russia to Hatayspor in Turkey and Moreirense FC back in Portugal, gaining valuable experience in varied tactical systems.

In 2022, he joined Al-Raed FC in Saudi Arabia before moving to FC Noah in Armenia, where his leadership and steady presence helped the club during a rebuilding phase and won the league title.

Santos again got the taste of the European club competition, this time featuring in the UEFA Conference League 2024-25 for FC Noah. However, Punjab FC fans may have some concerns about his recent game time, as he has not played competitive football since January 2025.

A left-footed centre-back by trade, Pablo Santos combines Brazilian technique with European discipline alongside experience of playing in different countries. He reads the game with precision, is strong in duels, and rarely panics under pressure.

At 33, he still brings the intensity and awareness of a seasoned professional, qualities that could make him a key part of Punjab FC’s setup in both the Super Cup 2025 and the ISL 2025–26 season.

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