Artur Jorge on Rojas arrival and his role in Cruzeiro’s market

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·4 July 2026

Artur Jorge on Rojas arrival and his role in Cruzeiro’s market

Cruzeiro’s 2-0 win over Defensor Sporting this Saturday (4), in the first friendly of the midseason break, also marked left-back Gabriel Rojas’ debut in the sky-blue shirt. After the match, Artur Jorge explained the choice of the Argentine to replace Kaiki, who was transferred in this window, and detailed how the club has been handling its moves in the market.

According to the coach, the break in the schedule has served not only to prepare the team on the pitch, but also to reorganize the squad in light of departures and transfer opportunities.

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“This break is a period of opportunity to look at the market, which has two sides: sales and purchases. We had Kaiki’s departure, and he was an important player for us. We looked at the options that might be available and within the conditions we could reach. We chose Gabriel (Rojas) because he is a player whose profile fits the way we play. He is an offensively aggressive player, who has a good attitude in defensive moments and is a player available to attack, to cover the flank as we ask and as our full-backs do.”

Rojas played his first match for Cruzeiro precisely in the friendly against Defensor and was one of the new developments observed by Artur Jorge during preparations for the resumption of the season.

The coach also highlighted that Kaiki’s replacement is part of planning developed by the football department, which keeps players monitored for every position in the squad. For him, the main challenge of the window was keeping the core of the team together after its good performances in the first half of the year.

“All of this is work done internally, within a group of identified players. We have players identified for every position at Cruzeiro and then according to our needs. In the market, I was more concerned about sales than signings. We had many players attracting interest, many offers on the table because they performed well enough to generate that demand. Our main concern was to keep the team balanced, to add quality and competitiveness to the squad, but also to be prepared to respond to departures by replacing them with players who fit the profile we believe in. Now time, matches and the player’s adaptation will say a lot. We want to believe we are making the right bet and that we can shape the team after these departures with the profile I want as a coach and within what Cruzeiro is able to pursue.”

Artur Jorge reveals active role in transfer-window decisions

In addition to commenting on Gabriel Rojas’ arrival, Artur Jorge explained how his involvement in transfer-market decisions works. The coach said he works together with the board, the SAF and the scouting department to define both arrivals and departures in the squad.

According to him, although he understands the need for negotiations at certain times, Cruzeiro also chose to reject offers in order to preserve the group’s competitiveness.

“My role is to work together with the president, the owner, Bruno Spindel and Joaquin from scouting to have harmony in our thinking and always look at what is best for Cruzeiro. There are times when we need to give in and understand that this or that offer is important for the club and we have to sell, and others when we refuse. We turned down offers for Cruzeiro players, and we also need the same alignment on incoming signings.”

Artur Jorge also stressed that the final approval of signings goes through his evaluation, so that the reinforcements are aligned with the playing style implemented at the club.

“Obviously, as the coach and the leader of the team process in terms of its technical and tactical behavior, my final word is always the one that validates players or not, and that is a responsibility I take on and have.”

In addition to the departure of left-back Kaiki, Cruzeiro is also close to completing the sale of midfielder Christian to Russia’s Krasnodar. On the other hand, the club is also working on arrivals. Besides Gabriel Rojas, forward Gabriel Pec, currently at LA Galaxy, is close to joining and is expected in Belo Horizonte this Sunday for medical examinations and to sign his contract.

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