Robson reunites with Basundhara: The Flop Transfer That Could Have Been One of Indian Football’s Best

Football is a cruel game. One can be a hero in one country and a forgotten name in another. And talking about transfers, Robson Robinho’s move from Bashundhara Kings to Mohun Bagan Super Giant is perhaps one of the best examples.

Who was Robson Robinho?

Better known as Robson Robinho, Robson Azevedo da Silva had a rather unusual career path as he only started his professional career at 19 years of age.

His rise coincided with one of the biggest transfers in Brazilian football. On August 8, 2017, Richarlison moved from Fluminense to Watford for £11.2 million. Five days later, Fluminense paid €2 million for 50 per cent of the economic rights of 22-year-old Robson from SC Atibaia.

Robson was seen as a possible like-for-like replacement for Richarlison. But it wasn’t like he thought it would be. He struggled to find his footing, hopping on loan from one club to another before finally popping up on Bashundhara Kings’ radar.

Robson’s introduction to South Asia

In June 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bashundhara Kings sought a replacement for Daniel Colindres. After studying hundreds of profiles they found Robson.

The Brazilian had everything they were looking for – good balance on the body, a strong shot with either foot and the ability to take on defenders from the left.

Bashundhara Kings’ media and marketing manager Ahmed Shaaek then said that the initial deal with Robson was finalised in two to three days. Then it was a matter of Fluminense sending the loan agreement.

It was a 10-page document with some 14 sections. There were some clauses which seemed very hard for a Bangladeshi club to fulfill. Kings’ management spent almost a week reviewing the agreement before finally closing the deal.

Robson arrived some eight to nine kilograms overweight after months without football in Brazil. He began slow, but he became a superstar.

He netted 64 goals and provided 49 assists in 97 appearances for Bashundhara Kings, emerging as one of the most successful foreign players in the history of Bangladeshi football.

Joining the Indian champions, Mohun Bagan Super Giant

Mohun Bagan announced the signing of Robson on a two-year contract on August 30, 2025. The Kolkata giants were also tracking him but the Mariners finally bagged him as a replacement for Greg Stewart.

Robson knew what he had to do.

“I have played against Mohun Bagan while I was at Basundhara Kings. I knew then, this is the most successful club in India.”

But football in India did not allow him much time.

Robson was given time to build up his fitness at Bashundhara. But Mohun Bagan were defending champions and were eyeing their third title in succession. Every game counted. Robson arrived overweight, out of sorts and lacking in competitive rhythm, and injuries further disrupted his campaign.

The contrast was only more glaring when his former Bashundhara teammate Miguel Figueira signed for East Bengal and ended up winning the Golden Ball.

Mohun Bagan ultimately missed out on the league title due to goal difference and Robson was seen as one of the big disappointments of the campaign.

What next for Robson?

It’s a bit ironic. The unknown overweight Brazilian who came to Bangladesh became a cult hero. The player came to India with a reputation but never got the time or rhythm to reproduce that form.

The weight of José Ramirez Barreto’s iconic No. 10 jersey was simply too heavy for Robson to lift in such a short time.

Mohun Bagan have signed his ex-teammate Miguel Figueira to replace Robson this season, who had one year left on his contract.

Now the Brazilian is training quietly in Brazil, as his next chapter is taking him back to where it all began in South Asia, with the forward set to return to Bashundhara Kings.

Robson Robinho might have been a big flop in India. Or perhaps he was just a good player who was at the wrong time and in the wrong place.

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