Rayan’s rise at Vasco, from six-year prodigy to record sale to Bournemouth | OneFootball

Vasco have bade farewell to Rayan after Bournemouth announced his signing, a club-record sale. According to Globo.com, the deal is €35 million, €28.5 million fixed plus €6.5 million in add-ons, with about €25 million paid to Vasco upfront.

Born and raised beside São Januário, the son of former defender Valkmar and Vanessa joined at six and quickly stood out. By 11 he had 280 academy goals across futsal and the pitch.

He debuted for the U20 at 15 and won U17 honours while a Brazil youth regular. In 2023 he reached the first team and, at 16 years, 10 months and eight days, became the century’s youngest Vasco scorer with a goal at Internacional.

Turbulence followed. With Maurício Barbieri gone, Ramón Díaz prioritised experience and Rayan dropped back to the U20. He struggled to impress, drew criticism after a 6-1 defeat to Flamengo, then, despite more minutes under Rafael Paiva, a quarter-final red against Athletico and form meant he finished with 33 games and two goals.

He began the next year strongly, a starter as Brazil won the South American U20, then scored on return under Carille in the Copa do Brasil. After a dip under Carille and Felipe, Fernando Diniz backed him and he delivered three early goals, then six in six to fuel a Libertadores push.

He inspired a 5-1 win over Internacional and decided the Copa do Brasil semi with Fluminense, scoring in both legs. The final proved cruel, a goal ruled out by centimetres in São Paulo and no breakthrough at the Maracanã, runners-up despite him finishing as top scorer. He wanted the Premier League step and the club honoured that, guided by close family ties behind two recent renewals.

Source: Globo.com