Persis Solo Signs Brazilian Defender Cleylton Santos from Malaysia's Super League

Persis Solo has officially announced their first signing for the mid-season transfer window of the 2024/2025 BRI Liga 1 season. The club has secured Brazilian defender Cleylton Santos to bolster their defensive line.



Before joining Persis Solo, Cleylton Santos had been playing for Kedah Darul Aman FC in the Malaysia Super League. Although his stint there lasted less than half a season, the 31-year-old made a notable impact. Over the course of his time in Malaysia, Cleylton featured in 21 matches across all competitions, including 15 in the Malaysia Super League, four in the Malaysia FA Cup, and two in the Malaysia Cup.

At 190 cm tall, Cleylton will add much-needed height and strength to Persis Solo’s defense, a unit that has been struggling with a lack of reliable options in the first half of the season. The defender expressed his excitement about the move, stating that joining the club was an easy decision due to Persis Solo's strong reputation in Indonesian football.

Cleylton is not only physically imposing but also has a strong attacking instinct, which was evident during his time in Malaysia. In the 2024/2025 Super League season, he scored four goals and provided one assist in 15 appearances. He played every match as a starter and completed the full 90 minutes each time, showcasing his consistency and value to the team.

Persis Solo has been facing a defensive crisis, with Eduardo Kunde the only foreign defender left in the squad following the injury that sidelined Ricardo Lima for the remainder of the season. This situation forced head coach Ong Kim Swee to make adjustments, including deploying players like Sutanto Tan, who is typically a full-back, in central defense. Cleylton's arrival is expected to bring stability and strength to the team’s backline.