The unexpected career journey of Brazilian teenager Ângelo Gabriel took a new turn with his recent move to Saudi club Al Nassr in a deal worth a reported $25 million. After only spending a year with Chelsea following a $17 million transfer from Santos, Gabriel never got the opportunity to play for the English club as he was immediately loaned out to Strasbourg. Despite being part of Chelsea’s preseason tour in the United States, the 19-year-old has now made a permanent switch to Al Nassr, where he will have the chance to play alongside the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo.
Financial Implications for Chelsea
The timing of Gabriel’s transfer to Al Nassr is significant as it coincided with the closure of the Saudi transfer window. This move is expected to assist Chelsea in meeting the financial regulations set by both the Premier League and UEFA for their competitions. It is worth noting that another Brazilian youngster, Deivid Washington, who also joined Chelsea from Santos around the same time as Gabriel, faced obstacles in securing a permanent move to Strasbourg due to concerns raised about the deal’s compliance with competition rules.
Words from Chelsea
In an official statement, Chelsea expressed their well wishes for Gabriel as he embarks on the next phase of his career with Al Nassr. Despite not getting the chance to showcase his talents on the pitch for the Blues, Gabriel’s potential was recognized when he became the youngest player in the history of Brazil’s national championship at just 15 years and 308 days old during his time with Santos.
The transfer of Ângelo Gabriel to Al Nassr signifies a new chapter in his promising career, providing him with the opportunity to further develop his skills and compete alongside top-level talent like Cristiano Ronaldo. While his time at Chelsea may have been short-lived, the move to Saudi Arabia opens up a new world of possibilities for the young Brazilian star, allowing him to make a name for himself on the global stage.