Flamengo land Emerson Royal in €9m Milan swoop | OneFootball

Emerson Royal’s move from AC Milan to Flamengo is now official, adding another layer to an already busy transfer window in Rio. The 26-year-old right back is set to be unveiled at the Maracanã alongside fellow new signing Saúl Ñíguez before Flamengo’s clash with Atlético MG. Emerson arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday, July 26, completing his medical at Flamengo’s training ground ahead of his presentation.

Flamengo agreed a €9 million fee with AC Milan for 100% of Emerson’s economic rights. The contract, which runs until December 2029, represents a long-term commitment from both the club and player. This deal is part of Flamengo’s ongoing squad rebuild, which has seen several new faces brought in to refresh the group and increase competition for places. That €9 million outlay is significant by Brazilian football standards and highlights Flamengo’s intention to reinforce areas identified as crucial by the coaching staff.

The right back position became a priority after Wesley’s transfer to Roma earlier in the summer. Emerson Royal arrives as a direct response to Wesley’s departure, with Filipe Luís and his staff seeing the need for an experienced replacement. Emerson has played for clubs across Brazil and Europe, with spells at Ponte Preta, Atlético MG, Real Betis, Barcelona, Tottenham, and most recently AC Milan. Last season in Serie A, he featured in 26 matches, starting 22 of them. That kind of regular involvement at a top European club adds a layer of reliability to the Flamengo back line.

The signing wasn’t without drama. Besiktas had also reached an agreement with Milan, but Flamengo ultimately hijacked the deal late in the process. Emerson’s decision to choose Flamengo was influenced by the ambitions of the club project as well as his own goal of securing a return to the Brazil national team in the run-up to the 2026 World Cup.

Fans made their feelings clear as Emerson touched down in Rio. Hundreds turned out at the airport with chants and banners, underlining the expectations that come with this level of investment. For Flamengo, Emerson is expected to step in from day one as the starting right back. The move is part of an ambitious push to keep the squad competitive on all fronts, with Emerson joining a list of new arrivals that also includes Ñíguez, Jorge Carrascal, and Samuel Lino.

There are still some details yet to be disclosed, particularly around Emerson’s wages and any statements from club officials about the transfer. For AC Milan, the transfer brings in €9 million, but no public rationale has been given for parting company with their regular full back from last season.

Flamengo’s next stage is integrating their new signings into a squad aiming to compete for every available trophy. Emerson’s track record in Europe and Brazil offers an interesting dynamic for Filipe Luís as the new campaign develops.