The Guatemalan extreme Óscar “Lelito” Santis will not continue with Antigua GFC for the Apertura 2026 tournament, as he will undertake a new challenge abroad and will play for the first time in Asian football, in an operation that will be carried out on loan.
Santis, who in recent years has established himself as one of the most decisive players in national football, both at the club level and with the Guatemalan National Team, will close his time with the colonial team to seek a new experience outside the country.
The attacker became a key piece of the Panzaverde team since his arrival at the Antigüeña institution and was the protagonist of the club’s historic two-time championship, with unbalanced contributions, goals and assists in decisive moments.
However, his departure had already been planned for months, as confirmed by coach Mauricio Tapia.
Tapia confirms the departure and destination of Santis
In statements to Prensa Libre, the Antigua GFC strategist explained that the player’s departure had been planned for some time and that the club was contemplating this scenario when planning for the next season. “Santis, for months, we said that he was leaving in June,” Tapia expressed.
Asked if the Guatemalan’s new destination will be Malaysia, the coach responded: “Yeah”. Tapia also explained that, because Santis still has a contract with Antigua GFC, the departure will be carried out under a specific modality: “It’s going on loan.” stated the Argentine strategist.
Although he did not confirm the name of the club he will join because he does not know them, Tapia indicated that the agreement would be for a usual period: “He will probably be gone for a year… as is normal.”
Sensitive low for Antigua GFC
The departure of Santis represents a significant loss for Antigua GFC, especially because the club will have international participation in the 2026 Central American Cup. In that sense, the coaching staff and the board of directors will have to look for a footballer with similar characteristics, capable of providing speed, overflow and offensive production on the wings.
Their numbers and international background
In the Clausura tournament, Santis recorded six goals and five assists with the colonial team, which was eliminated in the quarterfinals against Comunicaciones. His performance kept him as one of the team’s most influential players during the competition.
This will be a new international experience for the Guatemalan winger, who previously played for Dinamo Tbilisi, of Georgia, a stage in which he also contributed goals and assists, an experience that will now allow him to seek to establish himself outside the country.