Brazilian winger Angelo Gabriel has completed a £19.1 million move from Chelsea to Saudi Pro-League side Al-Nassr, marking another high-profile signing in Saudi Arabia’s ongoing football revolution.
Despite never making a competitive appearance for Chelsea, the 19-year-old’s move comes just over a year after joining the Blues from Brazilian club Santos for £13 million in July 2023.
Angelo spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Strasbourg, a club affiliated with Chelsea under their multi-club ownership model, where he made 24 appearances in Ligue 1. While his time in France showed flashes of his potential, Chelsea have opted to cash in on the young Brazilian talent.
Notably, the London club has secured a sell-on clause in the deal, allowing them to benefit from any future transfer involving Angelo.
The teenage winger’s career trajectory has been closely watched since October 2020, when he made history by becoming the youngest player ever to debut in Brazil’s top flight at just 15 years and 308 days. Appearing for Santos against Fluminense at the iconic Maracanã Stadium, Angelo Gabriel’s debut highlighted his early promise and technical flair.
Angelo will now join a star-studded lineup at Al-Nassr, which includes global football icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mané. The Saudi club, which has made waves with high-profile signings in recent years, continues to bolster its squad as part of the country’s broader efforts to increase its footballing influence on the global stage.
Angelo’s move comes amid a transfer frenzy in the Saudi Pro League, where top European talents have been lured by lucrative offers. The Saudi clubs, backed by substantial investments, are reshaping the landscape of global football by attracting players from Europe’s elite leagues.
The influx of talent is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a national development plan that includes a focus on sports, particularly football, to enhance the kingdom’s international standing.
The Saudi transfer window officially closed on Monday evening, marking the end of a summer that has seen a number of significant moves.
Another significant Saudi transfer is the move of Daniel Podence, who has left Wolverhampton Wanderers for Al-Shabab in a £5 million deal. The 28-year-old Portuguese winger, who joined Wolves in 2019, made 108 appearances for the Premier League club, scoring 16 goals during his time at Molineux. Last season, Podence was loaned to his former club Olympiacos, but he has now opted for a fresh start in Saudi Arabia.
Podence’s move to Al-Shabab further emphasizes the growing trend of players seeking new opportunities in the Saudi Pro League. Al-Shabab, like other Saudi clubs, is looking to strengthen its squad with experienced international talent as the league aims to increase its competitiveness and global visibility.
With Angelo Gabriel joining Al-Nassr and Daniel Podence heading to Al-Shabab, the Saudi Pro League continues to solidify its reputation as a new destination for top-tier talent. For Chelsea, the £19.1 million received for Angelo represents a tidy profit on a player they never utilized in their first team.
The sell-on clause included in the deal ensures that Chelsea will have a financial interest in Angelo’s future, potentially reaping further benefits if the Brazilian winger continues to develop and secures another high-value transfer down the line.
Angelo’s next chapter in Saudi Arabia will see him lining up alongside some of the most renowned names in football, offering him the chance to learn from seasoned veterans like Cristiano Ronaldo. His time in Saudi Arabia could be crucial in refining his skills and propelling him into the global spotlight as one of football’s most promising young talents.
