Gabriel’s journey from street football to Europe and Vasco’s defence | OneFootball

Vasco’s latest addition Gabriel Pereira has taken an unconventional route to senior football, moving from street games to Europe before landing in Rio.

According to Globo.com, the centre-back arrives on loan in an operation that could reach €7 million, R$ 41 million, if all loan targets are met.

Standing 1.88m, he played as a forward for amateur sides in Volta Redonda thanks to his height and aerial strength. In 2018, aged 18, he tried out at Sampaio Corrêa-RJ, saw there were few centre-backs and tested in defence, earning immediate approval for the under-20s.

The following year a friendly ahead of the Copinha caught the eye of Neto Colucci at Volta Redonda. The club signed him and he started in the tournament, helping them to a best-ever run to the quarter-finals.

Gabriel has said he came to club football late, spent much of his youth in amateur teams and often played in attack or midfield. He only filled in at centre-back occasionally and preferred attacking roles at the time.

The Copinha opened the door to a professional deal, then in 2021 he joined Vilafranquense in Portugal. Spells at Gil Vicente and Copenhagen followed.

He has yet to make his Vasco debut, but coach Pedro Emanuel has been testing him during the international break. Wearing number 55, he started a training match against Noroeste last Wednesday.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”