Mumbai City FC has announced the signing of Nuno Reis on a contract until the end of the 2025-26 Indian Super League season. With two pillars of the 2024-25 team, Tiri and Thaer Krouma, having departed the club, a void was created in the center of defense. The player that the club have opted for is 35-year-old Portuguese defender, Nuno Reis.
Nuno Reis‘ Career So far:
Reis began his career at Sporting Lisbon. However, loan spells to Belgium and the lower leagues of Portugal shaped much of his youth career. His first permanent move after leaving Sporting was Metz in France but left after a season. He played for a number of clubs after, including Greek giants Panathinaikos, Vitoria back in Portugal, and Levski Sofia in Bulgaria.
However, the stint that arguably put Reis on the radar of ISL clubs was his three-year spell from 2021 to 2024 at Melbourne City FC, another club under the City Football Group. Reis won the Australian Premiership (trophy for finishing top of the league) in all his three seasons and won the A-League Championship (winner of the play-offs) once.
Reis was also coached by current Mumbai City head coach Petr Kratky during this stint. Kratky was Melbourne’s assistant coach from 2021 until he left for the Islanders in 2024.
It was due to the CFG and Kratky connection, some fans assumed that, after his exit in 2024, Reis would follow the path Rostyn Griffiths had paved two years prior, and join Mumbai City. No move materialized, and Mumbai eventually re-signed Thaer Krouma.
After a short spell as a free agent, a move to Mohun Bagan SG materialized, with the club quickly moving ahead of Mohammedan SC in the race for his signing. Initially signed as a seventh foreigner for the club’s AFC Champions League Two campaign, their eventual withdrawal meant his first competitive match for the club was in the 2025 Super Cup. After his departure, he played in the Portuguese third division, before signing for Mumbai City.
How will Reis help Mumbai City?
While the club played the 2025-26 Super Cup without Krouma after his contract expired in the summer, Tiri remained an ever-present. However, the lack of a second foreign defensive option, even in the Super Cup, was visible. Without Krouma, the club was over-reliant on Tiri being fit and on form. The departure of Tiri to Persijap Jepara, a player many coin “Mr. ISL”, might have forced Mumbai City’s hand to make a foreign signing.
Reis is a right-sided centre back, but also has the ability to play as a defensive midfielder. This comfort to play in the midfield is also reflected in his on-the-ball skill. Reis is comfortable progressing the ball into the midfield, and has the ability to initiate attacks with long balls out of the defence.
Considering Mumbai’s circumstances, with the City Group divesting their shares in the club and the squad refusing to take pay-cuts, getting a player of Reis’s quality and experience is a shrewd acquisition. Despite his age and potential fitness concerns, he could be a crucial player in Mumbai City’s defense for the truncated season, while also being a mentor to the likes of Bijay Chhetri, Halen Nongtdu, and Nathan Rodrigues. After a poor 2024-25 season, Kratky will hope his former player can help the club achieve a better finish this time round.
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