Another one sidelined: Hugo Leonardo loaned out after two São Paulo games | OneFootball

São Paulo have agreed to loan out defensive midfielder Hugo Leonardo, 22, to Mito Hollyhock, a team in Japan’s top flight, which officially announced the signing this Thursday (27). The agreement between the parties will run until the end of 2027 and does not include a purchase option clause at the end of the period.

In recent weeks, São Paulo’s board had been planning the player’s transfer as an alternative to ensure he gets playing time and regular minutes on the pitch, after he spent a long period sidelined due to a serious injury.

“I feel truly honored to become part of such a wonderful club. I will give my best in every training session and every match to achieve important victories and win many titles,” said Hugo, now already a Mito player.

Injury and few appearances

Winner of the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior in 2025, Hugo suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the final of that youth competition that year, requiring surgery. After a long rehabilitation process, the defensive midfielder returned to training with the first team and was once again included in the squad for official matches.

However, the midfielder made only two appearances for the Tricolor’s senior team. The first came shortly before his injury, in the opening match of the 2025 Paulista Championship, when São Paulo fielded reserves and young players against Botafogo-SP. He started and played 68 minutes.

His second and final appearance came in the match against Remo, before the break in the calendar for the World Cup, when he played 18 minutes after coming on in the second half. Across both appearances, he totaled only about 90 minutes for the club.

Developed by Ska Brasil, Hugo was signed permanently by São Paulo for approximately R$400,000, corresponding to 80% of his economic rights. The player’s contract with the Morumbi club remains valid until December 2028.

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