IAPE, the current holder of the Maranhense title, has officially started its roster construction for the 2027 season with a series of strategic announcements. The club, known as the Canário da Ilha, confirmed the retention of several important squad members who were instrumental in securing the 2026 Campeonato Maranhense trophy. Among those renewing their contracts are forward Danúbio, midfielder Marquinhos, and right-back Matheus Rubens, all of whom will remain with the team for another campaign.
In addition to keeping core players, IAPE has secured two new signings to bolster its lineup for the upcoming year. The first is 24-year-old left-back Kelson, who joins after stints with Picos, Fluminense-PI, and Teresina. Kelson brings experience from major national competitions, including the Brazilian Série D, Copa do Brasil, and Copa do Nordeste. The second new arrival is 30-year-old midfielder Lucas Gonçalves, whose career includes spells at ABC, Floresta-CE, Botafogo-PB, Santa Cruz, and an international chapter with Al-Shabab.
The club also confirmed the return of midfielder Sousa Tibiri, who previously played for IAPE in 2021. The 30-year-old has a diverse resume featuring teams such as Serra Branca-PB, ASA, Botafogo-PB, Altos, and Ferroviário, alongside participation in the Série C, Série D, Copa do Brasil, and Copa do Nordeste.
As the defending state champion, IAPE faces a demanding schedule in 2027. The team is set to defend its title in the state championship while also competing in the Copa do Brasil, Copa do Nordeste, and the Brazilian Série D. Club officials have projected that pre-season training will commence by the end of November.
Sources: Globo Esporte.