Brazilian teenager Ângelo Gabriel’s career took an unexpected turn when he recently completed a transfer to Saudi team Al Nassr in a staggering $25 million deal. This move comes just a year after he joined Chelsea from Santos for $17 million. Despite being on Chelsea’s roster for a year, Gabriel never actually played for the English club as he was sent on loan to Strasbourg, which is one of the teams owned by Chelsea’s American investors.
Although Gabriel was included in Chelsea’s squad for their preseason tour of the United States, he has now made a permanent move to Al Nassr where he will have the opportunity to play alongside legendary footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. This sudden transfer announcement came shortly after the closing of the Saudi transfer window and is expected to assist Chelsea in complying with financial regulations set by both the Premier League and UEFA competitions.
Interestingly, another Brazilian teenager named Deivid Washington, who also joined Chelsea from Santos around the same time as Gabriel, faced challenges with making a permanent switch to Strasbourg. Sources revealed that concerns were raised regarding the transfer deal’s compliance with competition rules, leading to Chelsea ultimately cancelling the transaction. Although both Gabriel and Washington had promising beginnings at Santos, their paths diverged upon entering the international football scene.
Farewell to Chelsea
In response to Gabriel’s departure, Chelsea released a statement expressing their well wishes for his future endeavors. They acknowledged his contributions during his brief stint with the club and emphasized their support for him as he embarks on a new chapter in his professional career. Gabriel, who made history as the youngest player in Brazil’s national championship when he debuted for Santos at just 15 years and 308 days old, now faces a fresh set of challenges in a foreign league.
Ângelo Gabriel’s journey from Brazil to Chelsea and eventually to Al Nassr demonstrates the unpredictable nature of professional football. While his trajectory may have been unconventional, it serves as a reminder of the complexities within the sport and the varied paths that players can take in pursuit of their dreams. As he adjusts to his new environment and navigates the challenges ahead, Gabriel’s resilience and determination will undoubtedly shape the next phase of his career.