Corinthians midfielder enters final contract year, awaits future call | OneFootball

Corinthians will have a contract situation to monitor closely in the youth ranks over the coming months. Defensive midfielder Pedro Thomas, 18, entered the final year of his deal with the club this Friday (2). The player’s contract, signed in 2024, runs until October 2, 2027.

According to Itatiaia, there are still no advanced talks between the parties over a renewal. Any extension of the deal should depend on the youngster’s performance in the next edition of the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior and also on the place he may earn in the senior squad.

Photo: Rodrigo Gazzanel / Corinthians

Although he plays for the Under-20s, Pedro Thomas has already been included in the first team’s routine on some occasions. The midfielder is frequently called up to complete training sessions at CT Dr. Joaquim Grava and, according to the report, made a good impression on the coaching staff led by Fernando Diniz.

Pedro Thomas earns space in the Under-20s

Born in 2008, Pedro Thomas’s main characteristic is playing as a holding midfielder. Among his standout qualities is his ability to win the ball back in midfield.

This season, the youngster has made 29 appearances for Corinthians’ Under-20 side, 15 of them as a starter. In addition to his defensive contribution, he has also chipped in offensively with two goals and one assist.

His frequent use represents a continuation of the role he has earned since his first months at Parque São Jorge. Pedro joined Corinthians in 2024 and quickly began receiving opportunities in an age group above his own.

Right at the start of 2025, he took part in the Copa São Paulo at just 16 years old. Even as one of the youngest players in the squad, he took the field nine times during the competition and started six matches.

After the Copinha, he remained a regular part of the Under-20 schedule. Over the rest of that season, he added another 24 appearances, 19 of them as a starter, as well as scoring two goals.

Training with the senior squad could weigh on his future

His growing connection with the first team became part of the midfielder’s path in 2026. Pedro Thomas has been called up to help complete training sessions with the senior squad, allowing him to be observed more closely by the coaching staff.

According to Itatiaia, the initial internal evaluations were positive. That, however, has still not led to advanced negotiations to extend his contract.

The coming months should be important for a decision. The 2027 Copinha appears as one of the opportunities for the midfielder to gain greater exposure, while any definitive move closer to the senior team could also influence the talks.

For now, Pedro remains with the Under-20s and still has one more guaranteed year on his contract. The deal expires in October 2027.

Corinthians is also working on other renewals

Pedro Thomas’s situation comes amid the board’s efforts to retain players considered important assets from the youth setup.

At the Under-20 level, Corinthians has already agreed to a contract renewal with forward Luiz Fernando, the team’s top scorer. The club has also started talks to extend the deal of Nicollas, another attacking player.

In Pedro’s case, however, the process is still at an earlier stage. Without advanced negotiations at the moment, his performances over the rest of the season, his participation in the next Copinha, and his development alongside the senior squad should help determine the next steps between club and player.

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