Shillong, July 14: After relying exclusively on Indian players for an entire season, Shillong Lajong FC have returned to the foreign transfer market by signing Brazilian defender Arthur Pangaro ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
The 26-year-old centre-back becomes the club’s first overseas signing in two seasons, marking a shift in strategy following an impressive 2025-26 campaign in which Lajong fielded an all-domestic squad and secured their highest-ever Indian Football League finish by ending runners-up.
Arthur’s arrival is expected to reinforce Lajong’s defensive unit following the departures of defenders Saveme Tariang and Rudra Ved. A left-footed defender, the Brazilian has spent his entire professional career in his home country before making the move to India.
Welcoming the new recruit, the club said Arthur had progressed through the Brazilian football system and would add strength, composure and aerial ability to the backline.Lajong had previously relied on a core group of Brazilian players during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, but entered the last campaign without any foreign footballers, largely due to financial considerations. The decision proved successful as the club exceeded expectations with a second-place league finish.
