Persik Kediri Build a Towering Defense with Guinea-Bissau International Marcelo Djalo

Persik Kediri are making a serious effort to strengthen their defense ahead of the 2026/27 season, with the new campaign set to begin in early September. The White Tigers have added two imposing centre-backs, South Korean defender Park Jun Heong and Guinea-Bissau international Marcelo Djalo, as they look to build a more reliable back line.

Djalo arrives with an extensive international and club background. Born in Barcelona, the 32-year-old defender spent part of his development at the prestigious Real Madrid academy between 2009 and 2012 before continuing his career with Spanish clubs including Granada and Girona. He also gained experience in Italy with Juventus and later played in Thailand for Buriram United and Uthai Thani.

Although he holds a Spanish passport, Djalo chose to represent Guinea-Bissau at international level. He made his debut for the national team in 2019 and has since collected 14 appearances. His experience across several leagues is expected to give Persik greater maturity and composure at the heart of their defense.

Djalo is also motivated by the opportunity to experience Indonesian football, which he sees as an increasingly competitive environment. His arrival is expected to bring both physical strength and valuable experience to Persik, while his international background could prove useful during a demanding league campaign.

The partnership between Djalo and Park Jun Heong gives Persik a formidable defensive pairing, with both players standing above 1.9 meters tall. Their height and aerial ability should provide the White Tigers with a significant advantage when dealing with crosses and set pieces. Persik will be hoping their new defensive wall can help the team improve on last season's results and become a tougher opponent throughout the 2026/27 Liga 1 campaign.