Corinthians graduate Giovane seeks breakthrough at Champions League club Napoli | OneFootball

Former Corinthians academy forward Giovane is now at Napoli, aiming to establish himself after a swift rise in Italy. He is currently recovering from surgery and awaits his return to the pitch.

According to Meu Timao, Giovane joined Corinthians in 2021 at 18 on loan from Capivariano for the under-20s, shone at the 2022 Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, then trained with the senior squad.

Corinthians bought 65% of his rights in 2022 for about R$ 3 million after his debut in a 3-1 win over Botafogo. Senior returns fell short of expectations, and his first goal arrived on 28 November 2023 in a 4-2 victory at Vasco da Gama in São Januário.

He left by mutual consent in early June 2025 aged 21, finishing with 48 appearances, four goals and one title, the 2025 Campeonato Paulista. Sidelined under Ramón Díaz and Dorival Júnior, he played only three times in 10 months after declining to renew his deal. Months earlier, Hellas Verona had bid €1 million, a move that fell through, and Corinthians would have retained 15% of his rights, worth roughly R$ 18 million today.

Days after his exit he signed for Hellas Verona on a free, playing 23 matches with three goals and four assists in the first half of the season.

Napoli completed a permanent move in January 2026 for about €20 million. Corinthians benefited via FIFA’s solidarity mechanism, receiving roughly R$ 1.5 million, and no longer hold a percentage of his rights.

Source: Meu Timao

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