Ex-Corinthians man Yago Gonçalves joins Portuguese side for Europe debut | OneFootball

Developed in Corinthians’ youth academy, Yago Gonçalves will take a new step in his career at the age of 20. The defensive midfielder was announced by Portimonense, from Portugal, this Friday (4), and will initially join the Portuguese club’s Under-23 team.

The transfer marks Yago’s first experience in European football. In his presentation, Portimonense highlighted the midfielder’s development at Corinthians and confirmed his arrival in Portimão to join the squad in that age group.

Photo: Reproduction / Instagram

On social media, the player also celebrated the opportunity to begin a new chapter outside Brazil.

“Very happy and grateful for this new opportunity. Thank you to the club for the trust and for allowing me to experience this new challenge. May God bless this new stage, guide my steps, and may it be a cycle of hard work, learning, and achievements,” he posted.

Corinthians kept a percentage of the player’s rights

Yago ended a long journey at Parque São Jorge in July of this year. After leaving Corinthians, the defensive midfielder agreed to join Camboriú, from Santa Catarina, but did not play an official match for the team before moving to Portugal.

Even with the player’s permanent departure, Corinthians retained 20% of his economic rights. In this way, the club may receive a share corresponding to the retained percentage if Yago is transferred again in the future.

The move to Portimonense opens a new chapter in the path of an athlete who spent more than a decade wearing the black-and-white shirt.

From futsal to his professional debut

Yago arrived at Corinthians as a child. In 2014, at the age of eight, he began his development in the club’s futsal setup and later transitioned to the field game, progressing through the various age groups until reaching the first team.

His professional debut came on January 21, 2024. Under Mano Menezes, the defensive midfielder took the field in Corinthians’ 1-0 win over Guarani at Neo Química Arena, in the opening round of the Campeonato Paulista.

Yago also played one more match for the senior team, totaling two appearances. Without managing to establish a run among the professionals, he returned to working with the youth teams, although he later resumed training with the main squad during Ramón Díaz’s spell at the club.

Injuries disrupted his run with the Under-20s

In the final stage of his development, Yago earned more space with the Under-20s and even became a starter during the 2025 season. That run, however, was ultimately hampered by physical problems.

One of the episodes involved his left knee. Because of a meniscus injury, the midfielder missed the 2026 Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior.

After returning to the pitch, he faced greater competition in midfield and began receiving fewer opportunities under William Batista. Caraguá, Bahia, and Pedro Thomas were among the players used in the position during that period.

Yago ended his time at Corinthians with 80 matches and two goals across the club’s youth ranks. Among his achievements, he was part of the squad that won the 2023 Campeonato Paulista Under-17, a title secured against Palmeiras in the final.

After 12 years tied to the club that developed him, the defensive midfielder now begins a different chapter in his career. At 20, Yago Gonçalves arrives at Portimonense to join the Under-23s and seek opportunities in his first spell in European football.

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