Mario Junior makes Uniao Santarem move after Felgueiras departure

Guinea-Bissau and Portugal defender Mario Junior has joined Uniao Santarem from Felgueiras, completing a move that takes the 23-year-old centre-back to Portugal’s Liga 3.

The transfer was registered on 14 August 2026, with Junior leaving Felgueiras after one season at the Liga Portugal 2 club. He had joined Felgueiras from Braga B on 21 August 2025, continuing a career spent within the Portuguese football system.

Junior, who stands 1.88m tall and is right-footed, gives Uniao Santarem another defensive option as the club begins its campaign in the third tier. He is listed primarily as a centre-back and holds both Guinea-Bissau and Portuguese nationality.

His previous spell at Braga B followed a loan move to Oliveirense in January 2025. Junior returned to Braga B at the end of that season before making the switch to Felgueiras during the 2025-26 campaign.

The defender’s development in Portugal began at Braga’s youth levels. He moved from Braga Under-19s to the club’s Under-23 side in July 2022, then stepped up to Braga B a year later. His earlier career also included a move from Leixoes Under-23s to Braga Under-19s in July 2021.

Junior first joined Leixoes Under-23s in January 2021 after arriving as a free transfer. That move preceded his progression through Braga’s age-group and reserve teams before his spells with Oliveirense and Felgueiras.

The switch to Uniao Santarem is Junior’s latest club move in Portugal and places him in Liga 3 after his most recent season in Liga Portugal 2. The club’s current league campaign is under way, with Junior now registered as part of its squad.

Uniao Santarem have completed the signing of Mario Junior from Felgueiras, with the Guinea-Bissau and Portugal defender joining the club on 14 August 2026.