Yan Djalo Joins Flamengo for 2026/27 Season

Flamengo has secured the signing of Yan Djalo for the 2026/27 season. At 24 years old and standing 2.04m tall, the power forward joins the club after four seasons with Pinheiros, capping off the most productive campaign of his career in 2025/26.

Born in São Paulo, Djalo came to basketball later than most professional players. Before discovering the sport, he played football as a right-back. It was not until age 15 that he switched to basketball, beginning training at Ginásio do Ibirapuera and eventually committing fully to the sport.

The son of parents from Guinea-Bissau, Djalo took his first competitive steps with Clube Paulista/Overtime in 2018. The following year, he joined Corinthians, where he gained exposure through the developmental system and launched his elite domestic career.

It was during his time at Corinthians that Djalo began earning national recognition. In the 2021 Liga de Desenvolvimento de Basquete (LDB), he emerged as one of the squad's key contributors, establishing himself as a rising prospect in Brazilian basketball.

In 2022, after a stint with Basket Osasco, Djalo arrived at Pinheiros, where he entered a new phase of his development and captured his first titles. That same year, he won the Liga de Desenvolvimento de Basquete championship. In the final against São José, he played a pivotal role with 19 points in an 80-77 victory.

He continued to flourish the following season. Djalo was among the standout performers in the 2023 LDB, posting averages of 17.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game, alongside 20.6 efficiency rating. That campaign, he also won the Interligas LDB title with Pinheiros, contested in Argentina.

His growth in the developmental leagues complemented his progression in senior competition. After beginning his NBB career with Corinthians, Djalo gradually increased his impact during four seasons at Pinheiros, becoming a cornerstone of the São Paulo outfit.

In 2025/26, he delivered his most impressive season to date in Brazil's top-tier league. Over 50 games spanning regular season and playoffs, he averaged 10.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. The power forward also showed marked improvement from three-point range, finishing the campaign at 38% from beyond the arc.

His standout individual display came during the playoffs. In the second semifinal game against Corinthians, Djalo exploded for 23 points—his career-high in NBB play—sinking four three-pointers.

Now, the power forward embarks on a fresh chapter wearing Flamengo colours. The player emphasized his attraction to the club's winning mentality when discussing his arrival at Gávea.

"I'm very happy to join Flamengo because it's a great club, a Nation that represents many titles, many victories and many achievements. That's what I'm looking for. My expectation is to come to Flamengo in pursuit of titles. It's a club that always seeks to be champion, always pursues victories, and that's my goal too".

Beyond his hunger for silverware, Djalo outlined the qualities he intends to bring to the court in Flamengo red and black.

"The Nation can expect from me a lot of intensity, a lot of collective play, a lot of energy, a lot of commitment on court, a lot of joy and a lot of three-point shooting. You can be sure of that," he concluded.

With Djalo's arrival, coach Demétrius Ferracciú gains another young option for the frontcourt as Flamengo continues preparation for a packed season featuring state, national and international competitions.