From Mumbai to Portugal: Yohaan Benjamin Signs Two-Year Deal with Guarda FC After Making UEFA Youth League History

Mumbai-born Indian youth international Yohaan Benjamin has taken another significant step in his European football journey after signing a two-year deal with Portuguese club Guarda FC, subject to international clearance and visa formalities.

The move continues a remarkable rise for the young midfielder, whose journey has taken him from football schools and academies in India to the UEFA Youth League and now to Portuguese football. Benjamin's arrival is also significant for Guarda FC, which is looking to create stronger pathways for emerging talent from India, Asia and other developing football markets into the European game.

For Indian football, the signing represents another encouraging story of a young player seeking to build a career beyond domestic borders.

Yohaan began his football journey in India through several development programmes and academies, including Conscient Football Mumbai, Football Academy of Bangalore and Minerva Football Academy. His progression eventually earned him a move to Shillong Lajong in early 2022, where his development accelerated considerably.

During his three years with the club, Benjamin moved beyond the academy environment and gained experience alongside older players across Shillong Lajong's senior and reserve setups. The period proved important in shaping his game and preparing him for higher levels of competition.

One of his standout seasons came in the 2024 Shillong Premier League, where Benjamin scored nine goals and helped Shillong Lajong clinch the title. He also contributed to the club's runners-up finish in the Meghalaya State League, underlining his growing influence as an attacking midfielder.

His biggest breakthrough, however, came during the 2023–24 AIFF Youth League.

Benjamin scored nine goals in 13 matches, producing performances that earned him a call-up to the India U-19 national team. The youngster subsequently represented India at the 2025 SAFF U-19 Championship, adding international experience to his rapidly growing football resume.

The next major opportunity arrived in August 2025 when he moved to Slovenia to join NK Bravo U19.

It was a historic move for the Mumbai-born footballer. His performances in Slovenia earned him a place in NK Bravo U19's UEFA Youth League campaign, making Benjamin the first Indian footballer to feature in the prestigious competition.

The UEFA Youth League appearance marked an important moment not just for Benjamin but also for Indian football. Competing in one of Europe's most competitive youth club tournaments, he faced the challenge of performing against some of the continent's strongest emerging talent, including an appearance against FC Porto.

That European experience has now opened the door to his next chapter.

Guarda FC believes Benjamin fits perfectly into the club's vision of identifying ambitious young players from emerging football nations and helping them develop within a European environment.

Jai Agarwal, CEO of Guarda Futebol Clube – Futebol, SAD, said the club was delighted to secure Benjamin's signature.

“Yohaan is exactly the kind of player we want at Guarda FC ambitious, committed and hungry to succeed,” Agarwal said. “We’re very excited to welcome Yohaan to Guarda and look forward to seeing him make his mark with the club. Hopefully, this will inspire many young Indians to pursue their dreams in football.”

Benjamin's signing is part of a broader strategy at Guarda FC to build connections with talent markets beyond traditional European footballing nations. Assistant Sporting Director Vanshvir Shah highlighted the club's ambition to identify and develop players from India, Asia and other emerging markets.

“Yohaan’s signing is an important step in our vision of identifying and developing talent from India, Asia and other emerging football markets,” Shah said. “We believe there is a huge pool of talented young players in the region, and our goal is to provide them with a pathway into European football.”

The move could therefore have significance beyond Benjamin's individual career.

For decades, one of the biggest challenges facing talented young Indian footballers has been the limited availability of structured pathways into European club football. While Indian players have occasionally earned opportunities abroad, consistent systems that help young talent transition into European academies and senior football remain rare.

Guarda FC manager Rui Ferreira believes that South Asia has substantial footballing potential, with the challenge being to ensure talented players receive the right opportunities.

“India and South Asia have a huge amount of footballing talent, and I think the biggest challenge is creating the right pathways for young players to be discovered and developed,” Ferreira said.

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For Benjamin, however, the focus remains firmly on the football.

“Signing for Guarda FC means a lot to me,” he said. “It’s another important step in my journey in Europe and an opportunity to keep growing, competing and proving myself at a higher level. I’m grateful to the club for believing in me and giving me this opportunity.”

At a young age, Yohaan Benjamin has already travelled a path few Indian footballers have experienced. From academy football in Mumbai, Bangalore and Punjab to Shillong Lajong, the India U-19 team, Slovenia and the UEFA Youth League, his journey has been defined by steady progression and a willingness to take opportunities outside his comfort zone.

Now, Portugal presents the next challenge.

The two-year deal gives Benjamin an important platform to continue adapting to the demands of European football while developing in a new competitive environment. His progress will be closely watched by Indian football fans, particularly as more young players look towards opportunities beyond the domestic game.

For Guarda FC, the signing represents another step towards building a bridge between Indian and European football.

For Yohaan Benjamin, it is another opportunity to keep moving forward.

And for aspiring young footballers in India, his journey offers a simple but powerful message: the pathway may not always be straightforward, but with the right talent, persistence and opportunities, the dream of playing in Europe is becoming increasingly possible.