Kochi, October 08, 2025: Kerala Blasters FC has officially announced the signing of Portuguese forward Tiago Alexandre Mendes Alves ahead of the upcoming season. The 29-year-old joins from Japan’s J1 League, known as one of the strongest leagues in Asia.
Born in Coimbra, Portugal, Alves stands out for his versatility in the forward position. He can effectively play as a left winger, center forward, or attacking midfielder. After beginning his football journey in the youth systems of notable Portuguese clubs like Sporting CP and Académica, he made his senior debut with Varsovia SC and gained attention in the Portuguese leagues. In 2019, he moved abroad, signing with Olimpia Grudziądz in Poland, showcasing strong performances that later led him to Piast Gliwice, a top division club in Poland.
Alves had his best season in Japan, scoring 24 goals in 67 matches over two seasons with Montedio Yamagata in the J2 League. He later played for Botafogo-SP in Brazil and Tokyo Verdy in Japan.
Sporting Director, Karolis Skinkis:
“We are pleased to welcome Tiago to Kerala Blasters. He is a player who has proven his skills in various leagues. His ability to play in different roles and score goals will add great strength to our team, enhancing our attack’s power and speed.”
Tiago Alves on signing with Kerala Blasters:
“I am very excited about this new opportunity with Kerala Blasters. It’s a great chance to take on a new challenge in Asia. I’m looking forward to giving my all on the field, working hard, and scoring goals,” said Tiago Alves.
Kerala Blasters CEO, Abhik Chatterjee:
We are working to build a strong team this season. Tiago’s ability to play in various attacking roles, along with his experience in Europe and Asia, fits well with our playing style. His quality, especially his ability to change games when needed, will benefit the team. I am confident Tiago will be key in achieving our goals this season, and the fans will surely enjoy his play.
Playing primarily with his right foot, Tiago Alves is known for his speed and ability to convert opportunities into goals, bringing additional strength and sharpness to the team’s attack. He will join the team soon for pre-season training and is expected to be a vital player in Kerala Blasters’ forward lineup this season.