Santos announce signing of midfielder Christian Oliva on three-year deal | OneFootball

Santos have announced the signing of Uruguayan midfielder Christian Oliva, 29, on a three-year deal from Nacional.

"I am very happy for this opportunity, for joining a giant club like Santos. I want to make the most of this chance and help the team. I come to contribute with Uruguayan grit, always with great commitment, and I guarantee that will never be lacking," he told the club’s official website.

He had been training at CT Rei Pelé in recent days, but the announcement was delayed by a FIFA transfer ban over a debt to Arouca for defender João Basso. The club settled the amount this week and FIFA lifted the sanction on Friday.

Developed at Nacional in Montevideo, Oliva debuted professionally in 2018, then played for Cagliari, Valencia, Talleres and Juárez, before returning to Nacional in 2024.

Last season he appeared in 42 matches, scoring three goals and providing three assists. In 2026 he has featured twice for Nacional.

Santos had been seeking a midfielder capable of pushing for a starting place. Before Oliva, they pursued Argentine Felipe Loyola of Independiente, but talks stalled and he was loaned to Pisa in Italy.

He becomes Santos’s fifth addition of the campaign, following midfielder Gabriel Menino and forwards Gabigol, Rony and Moisés.

The board are now targeting another centre-back, having negotiated for Racing’s Marco Di Cesare. The 24-year-old wanted the move, but Racing asked for 80% of the R$ 31 million fee upfront, about R$ 24.8 million, which Santos cannot pay immediately.

Source: Globo.com