Cauly: São Paulo land top signing thanks to shirt’s pull | OneFootball

Fifth reinforcement of São Paulo presented for this 2026 season, the Bahia-born Cauly was another player who switched teams due to the greatness of Tricolor, as he explained in his press conference at the Barra Funda training center held this Wednesday (18).

He lived in Germany from the age of 11 to 24, when he made his first transfer abroad to Ludogorets, in Bulgaria. In 2023, he returned to his home country to play for the first time in Brazil, and fittingly at the club of his city, Bahia.

In his first year coached by Rogério Ceni, he performed exceptionally well, being selected for the Campeonato Baiano team, where he was crucial for his first title at the club. He played 47 games, scoring ten goals and providing nine assists that season.

He remained important at his former club, winning the Campeonato Baiano again and the Copa do Nordeste in 2025, but lost some prominence. However, he was always praised by Ceni, who lamented his player's departure in recent statements.

Asked about the reasons for the transfer, Cauly was straightforward and did not hesitate to say that when São Paulo calls, you don't think twice.

“From the first conversations, I told my agent that I wanted everything to work out. I needed this change and new experience. I have great faith in the group, in the quality of São Paulo, and it is a great honor to be part of this club with so much history and quality players,” said the new number 80 of Tricolor.

The enormous financial crisis of São Paulo is no secret. In recent years, the club has been striving, and quite successfully, to bring in reinforcements who are free agents, through trades, or installment payments.

This year, they have hit the mark with the former Mirassol duo Lucas Ramon and Danielzinho, both consolidating themselves with each match as absolute starters under Hernán Crespo. Without much fame in football, the two came to Tricolor for the chance to defend a giant and make their mark in history.

Cauly arrives at the biggest club of his career after stints at three smaller clubs in Germany and a major one in Bulgaria, where he won a national championship three times and two Super Cups.

Now at 30 years old, he knows it is the biggest chance of his career, with the potential to shine at a high level. He is a midfielder hard to find in current football, but also very active on the flanks and even with a new defensive sense gained with Ceni.

If São Paulo is struggling in the market, credit must be given to executive Rui Costa, who along with Rafinha has been working well in reorganizing Tricolor and addressing the needs in coach Crespo's squad.

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