Cotia product finally joins Portuguese club on loan: São Paulo's sale cut | OneFootball

The loan transfer of 21-year-old forward Paulinho from São Paulo to União Torreense, of Portugal’s second division, was finally confirmed by the European club this Monday (31).

The loan deal is valid until June 2027 and includes a purchase option with fixed amounts and percentages that could bring approximately R$ 6.6 million — €1.1 million at the current exchange rate — into the Morumbi club’s coffers. AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR had already reported the negotiations in early August.

Initially, the academy product from Cotia will join the Portuguese club’s under-23 team, going through an observation period before a possible promotion to the senior squad. Despite playing in the national second division, Torreense secured a place in the Europa League after winning the Portuguese Cup by defeating Sporting.

How does Tricolor benefit?

If it chooses to complete Paulinho’s permanent signing at the end of the agreed period, the European club will immediately pay €600,000 (around R$ 3.6 million) for 60% of the player’s economic rights.

The contract model also establishes that the remaining 40% of the player’s rights may be acquired gradually: 20% in the first year after the purchase for €200,000 (R$ 1.2 million), and the final 20% in the second year for another €300,000 (R$ 1.8 million).

Controversy in deal with Botafogo-SP

Before the agreement with the European side, the Tricolor forward was close to joining Botafogo-SP. The initial deal provided for the player’s permanent transfer on a free basis, with São Paulo retaining 40% of the rights to any future sale.

The transaction sparked negative backlash among fans on social media, leading São Paulo’s board to reassess the terms and propose a simple loan without a purchase option to the club from Ribeirão Preto.

After that, the offer made by Torreense was viewed by the Tricolor hierarchy as more advantageous from both a financial and sporting standpoint.

History at Tricolor

A standout from São Paulo’s youth academy, Paulinho was the club’s top scorer in the last edition of the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior. His season was affected by a knee ligament strain suffered in the final of the youth tournament, an injury that kept him out for about two months.

In the first team — where he made his debut under coach Hernán Crespo — the forward played only once this year, against São Bernardo in the Campeonato Paulista. With no space under Roger Machado and later under Dorival Júnior, the player, already over the under-20 age limit, was allowed to seek new opportunities on the market.

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