Football | OneFootball

It’s a done deal. Simon Banza is set to join Al Jazira, a team from the United Arab Emirates. All parties have reached an agreement and the player, who was once on Sporting’s radar, is expected to be announced in the coming days, provided he passes his medical exams in the Middle East.

The striker will sign a three-year contract, according to the newspaper Record. Braga, the club led by António Salvador, will immediately receive €9 million for 80% of the player’s rights, an amount that could increase by another €2 million depending on the achievement of certain objectives.

The footballer had continued training with the B team and was not part of Carlos Vicens’ plans. The player was close to leaving during the summer, but ended up staying in Minho. Last season, he was loaned to Trabzonspor. The Congolese striker played 37 matches, scoring 22 goals and providing six assists.

Simon Banza had been on Sporting’s radar for several seasons. The striker was one of the players included in the Lions’ shortlist for the attacking line. However, a deal with the Sporting board, presided over by Frederico Varandas, never materialized.

In two seasons at Braga – between 2022 and 2024 – Banza, valued at €14 million, played 90 matches, scoring 37 goals and providing 14 assists. While at the Minho club, the 28-year-old striker won the League Cup in 2023/24. In Portuguese football, he also played for Famalicão in the 2021/22 season.

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