Kyoto Sanga F.C. expands Brazilian roster with goalkeeper Haus

Kyoto Sanga F.C. has reached a unique milestone in the J1 League by fielding a squad that includes 10 foreign players, all of whom are Brazilian. This marks the highest number of Brazilian players for a single J-League club.

To bolster the squad, the club announced the loan signing of Brazilian goalkeeper Haus from Villa Nova. The 27-year-old, standing 198 cm tall, is noted for his shot-stopping abilities and reflexes. He joins a roster where Brazilian captain Rafael Elias serves as a vital bridge between the international and Japanese players.

Defender Shinnosuke Fukuda commented on the team dynamics, noting that while there are cultural and linguistic gaps—such as Brazilian players occupying the training room to watch Brazilian league matches—the atmosphere remains productive. Under manager Ranco Popovic, the club aims to integrate these diverse playing styles as they prepare for their upcoming home matches and their debut in the AFC Champions League Elite.