Lerumo Lions assess Brazilian winger Victor Santoro ahead of new season

North West-based Lerumo Lions are considering signing Brazilian winger Victor Santoro after the 20-year-old joined the Motsepe Foundation Championship club for an assessment in Rustenburg.

Santoro has been training with the team at Zinniaville High School, where he was observed by the Soccer Laduma Siya crew. He arrived in South Africa this week and took part in his first session with Lerumo Lions on Wednesday.

A source at the club said Santoro had already made a positive impression on both the coaching staff and the squad.

“He arrived this week and looks like a very good player. The players seem to like and respect him, which is a good sign,” said a source at the club.

Lerumo Lions are understood to be keen to secure the winger’s services, although the club has not yet responded to a request for comment about the potential move.

Santoro previously played in the Eccellenza League, the fifth tier of Italian football, before accepting an invitation to travel to South Africa and undergo an assessment with Lerumo Lions. His spell in Italy means the player arrives with experience of European football, but he is yet to complete a move to the Motsepe Foundation Championship side.

The club’s interest remains at the assessment stage, with no signing confirmed. Santoro’s training performances and the response of the Lerumo Lions squad are understood to be part of the process as the club considers whether to offer him a contract.

Lerumo Lions are preparing for the start of the 2026/27 campaign. According to the draft fixtures, they will begin the season away from home against Venda FC on Friday, 21 August.

That match is scheduled to take place at Thohoyandou Stadium. The fixture will provide the first indication of the club’s plans for the new campaign, although it is not known whether Santoro will be involved if his assessment leads to an agreement.

The winger’s arrival adds another potential option to a Lerumo Lions squad preparing for a competitive season in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. For now, however, Santoro remains a trialist rather than a confirmed signing, and the club has yet to make an official announcement.

The report was published on 27 July 2026.