Santos women's academy talent signs first professional contract | OneFootball

Champion of Série A2, Santos continues to reshape its squad for the 2026 Brazilian Women's Championship. This Friday, Peixe announced that Sara, one of the standout talents from Santos’ youth academy, has signed her first professional contract, valid until September 30, 2028.

At 18 years old, Sara is experiencing a special moment at Santos. The young defender was promoted to the first team and made her debut on November 22, coming onto the field in the 8-1 rout over São José in the quarterfinals of the Copa Paulista. Before that, she had been standing out in the under-20 team, where she already racked up 17 matches and one goal this season.

Even after her debut with the senior team, Sara continues to play for the under-20s, who are competing in the Copa São Paulo Feminina. The team returns to action this Saturday (13th), against Fluminense, with a spot in the semifinals of the competition at stake.

Signed at the end of 2023, the center-back fondly remembers the moment she signed her first professional contract. For her, it was the fulfillment of a childhood dream.

“My heart overflows with emotion. Signing my first contract with Santos, a giant club full of history, is something I can’t explain. Wearing this shirt means carrying on tradition, stepping onto the field knowing that every step represents something bigger. I always dreamed of this—and now it’s real. I promise to honor this jersey with dedication, respect, and a lot of heart. May this be just the first chapter of a beautiful story,” she said.

For the next season, the Sereias da Vila will have a packed schedule, with competitions in the Brasileirão Feminino, Copa do Brasil, and Paulistão. After a 2025 marked by ups and downs—with promotion and the Série A2 title, but also early eliminations in the state championship and Copa do Brasil, and finishing as runners-up in the Copa Paulista—Santos is aiming for stability in the top division and dreams of fighting for trophies again. The retention of Rafa Andrade is seen as an important step in this process.

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