Ajax announce Marcos Leonardo signing, Santos to receive solidarity fee | OneFootball

Ajax confirmed on Friday the signing of 23-year-old striker Marcos Leonardo from Al-Hilal, returning him to European football. Santos will receive about R$ 5.1 million, approximately 875 thousand, via FIFA’s solidarity mechanism.

The Dutch club paid just under €25 million. As his primary development club, Santos are due 3.5% of the transfer, which compensates teams that trained the player between ages 12 and 23.

Unlike the deal that took him from Benfica to Al-Hilal, Santos will not receive any sell-on payment. The Saudi side sold him for less than the €40 million they paid in 2024.

Leonardo joined Santos’ academy in 2014 aged 11, and stood out for his goalscoring in the Paulista Under-11 and Under-13 age groups.

He made his senior debut in 2020 at 17 under coach Cuca, later taking the number nine shirt and becoming their focal point in 2022 and 2023.

He left with 168 appearances and 54 goals, and was part of the side relegated in Brazil’s top flight in 2023, a scenario that accelerated his move to Europe. He joined Benfica in January 2024 for €18 million, then was sold to Al-Hilal for €40 million a few months later. He has now signed a five-season contract with Ajax running to 30 June 2031.

Source: Diario Do Peixe