Sandro Embalo: Portugal-Guinea-Bissau defender joins Bengaluru FC on free transfer

Portugal and Guinea-Bissau centre-back Sandro Embalo has joined Indian Super League side Bengaluru FC on a free transfer from Indonesian club PSBS Biak.

The 30-year-old defender has signed a deal running until 31 May 2027, becoming one of the latest overseas recruits to arrive in the Indian top flight this summer. The move keeps his estimated market value at around €175,000 after a season in Indonesia.

Embalo arrives in Bengaluru with extensive experience across several leagues, having played in the top tiers of Greece, Saudi Arabia, Finland, Cyprus and Estonia, as well as youth football in Portugal, Spain and Italy. Primarily a left-footed centre-back, he stands at 1.90m and adds height and physical presence to the back line.

The Lisbon-born defender moved to PSBS Biak in 2025 after a spell with Persita in Indonesia, continuing a career that has taken in clubs including AC Oulu in Finland, Ermis Aradippou in Cyprus and Genoa’s youth set-up in Italy. Earlier in his career he passed through the academies of Sporting, Braga, Leiria and Atletico Madrid.

Across his senior career, Embalo has gained regular game time in various competitions, including almost 40 appearances in the Greek Super League and more than 20 in the Saudi First Division, as well as minutes in domestic cups and youth European competitions.

Embalo’s transfer from PSBS Biak to Bengaluru FC is a permanent free transfer, with the defender now contracted to the Indian Super League club until the end of May 2027.