Sancidino: Guinea-Bissau and Portugal winger joins Al-Irshad SC

Guinea-Bissau and Portugal winger Sancidino has joined Al-Irshad SC from Italian club Leonfortese, adding a 32-year-old left-sided attacker to the Lebanese club’s squad.

The move was completed on 9 September 2026, following Sancidino’s spell with Leonfortese. He joined the Italian side in December 2025 after a period without a club, having previously left Oman-based Sohar SC in October 2024.

Sancidino began his career in the Benfica academy, progressing through the club’s youth system before moving into the Portuguese side’s B team. He later played for Arouca and Leixoes, before leaving Portugal for Switzerland, where he joined Lausanne-Sport in 2018.

His career has also included spells with Ararat Erewan in Armenia, Al-Taraji, Ermis Aradippou and Sohar SC. The winger has moved between clubs in Portugal, Switzerland, Armenia, Cyprus, Oman and Italy before taking up his latest challenge with Al-Irshad SC.

A right-footed player whose main position is on the left wing, Sancidino has recorded 55 appearances, eight goals and three assists in Liga Portugal 2. He has also made 11 appearances in Switzerland’s Challenge League, scoring twice and providing one assist.

His senior club career began with Benfica B, for whom he played after coming through the club’s under-19 ranks. He made the move to Arouca in 2016, joining on a free transfer, before returning to the international circuit with Lausanne-Sport two years later.

Sancidino represented Portugal at under-17 level and was part of the side that won the Torneio Internacional Algarve U17 in 2011. He was born in Bissau and holds both Guinea-Bissau and Portuguese nationality.

At 1.76m, he brings experience across several European and Middle Eastern football environments, as well as a playing profile suited to the wide areas. His arrival gives Al-Irshad SC a senior attacking option capable of operating from the left flank.

Sancidino’s transfer to Al-Irshad SC was completed on 9 September 2026.