Uniao Santarem have added Nigerian defender Kelechi John to their back line, with the 27-year-old centre-back joining the Liga 3 side on a free transfer from Sanjoanense.
John, who stands at 1.91m and is predominantly right-footed, has signed a deal running until 30 June 2027. He completed his move on 23 July 2026, staying in Portugal after spending the second half of last season with Sanjoanense in Campeonato de Portugal Serie B.
The switch continues a long association with Portuguese football for the former Rio Ave youngster. John first arrived in Portugal as a teenager with Rio Ave’s under-19 side in 2016, progressing through their B team and under-23 ranks before earning a move to Casa Pia in 2020.
His career has also taken him abroad to Australia, where he won the Australian Regular Season Champion title with Central Coast Mariners in 2022-23. John later returned to Portugal with spells at B SAD, Oliveirense and Portimonense before a brief period without a club in 2025-26, after which he joined Sanjoanense.
John now commits his immediate future to Uniao Santarem, becoming their latest defensive signing ahead of the new Liga 3 campaign on a contract through to summer 2027.
