Dieguinho leaves Ceará, tells Time do Povo: “I learnt to love this shirt” | OneFootball

Photo: Gabriel Silva/Ceará SC

Signed at the beginning of 2025, midfielder Dieguinho is leaving the People’s Team to experience a new chapter in his professional career. The player accepted an offer from Shimizu S-Pulse, a club in Japanese football. After the black-and-white side’s win over Avaí, the midfielder informed his teammates of his departure, thanked them for his time in Porangabuçu, and declared his love for Ceará.

Dieguinho emphasized that this was a difficult decision to make, since he knows how important he is to the squad and considering the bond he developed with the People’s Team.

“An opportunity came into my life, a proposal, and I’m not leaving because of Ceará, it’s because of the opportunity that came up for my family. It hasn’t been easy; it’s been a mix of emotions. I prayed a lot, asking God for guidance to make this decision to accept this opportunity for me and my family. The president—words can’t describe him—even knowing he might take criticism because of this news, he thought of me, of my family, he showed humanity. I want to say that I’m leaving, but part of my heart and my thoughts will stay here with you, and I learned to love this shirt in a very natural way even though I haven’t been here long. I will continue loving you and cheering for you,” he said.

In the deal, Ceará will receive total compensation of approximately R$ 4,000,000.00 (four million reais), at the current exchange rate. Dieguinho was under contract with Ceará until the end of 2026, a condition that, under football regulations, would have allowed the player to leave without a transfer fee once there were six months remaining on his contract.

The completion of the deal is still subject to the player passing the medical examinations to be carried out by the Japanese club and the subsequent signing of the employment contract with the Asian team, and confirmation of the transfer comes after a period requested by the Japanese club.

Dieguinho lived Ceará intensely, gave his all in every one of the 66 matches in which he took the field, and won over the entire Black-and-White Nation very quickly. Ceará SC thanks Dieguinho for the time he spent here and wishes him all the best in his professional journey.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.