Wolves star Andre spent four years without his parents after making one huge decision | OneFootball

Wolves midfielder Andre moved away from his family aged 12 in his bid to become a professional footballer.

Wolves had a very busy summer, and it’s fair to say it didn’t play out in the way that the majority expected.

Firstly, the decision to replace Rob Edwards with Cesar Peixoto came out of the blue, and the squad overhaul that the hierarchy promised didn’t materialise.

As a result, a lot of players remained at Molineux that many thought would move on, although perhaps the biggest shock came shortly after the previous season had finished, as Andre signed a new contract to stay with the club.

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Whilst his second season at Wolves was tougher than his first, many presumed the 13-cap Brazil international would be determined to stay in one of the top five leagues, but he committed his future to the club.

Andre’s journey to English football was remarkable

All professional footballers make sacrifices to reach the highest level, although there won’t be too many who follow a path like Andre did.

The midfielder was born in a rural village in Bahia, where there were just 2,000 people, so it wasn’t going to be straightforward for Andre to find a platform to showcase his talent.

As it transpired, a family friend would help, as a ten-year-old Andre would stay at their place after a trial in Salvador, which was 200 miles from his home.

With Andre impressing, it became apparent he had a chance of making it at a bigger club, and the family made the decision to allow the youngster to move to Rio to join Fluminense, when he was just 12.

So, he spent the next four years without seeing his parents in his bid to become a professional, which demonstrates his dedication.

Andre won the Copa Libertadores with Fluminense

And, it paid off, as the youngster forced his way into the first-team picture with the Brazilian giants, and he would go on to establish himself as a key player for Flu, as he clocked up almost 200 appearances.

That was a successful period for the club, and the high point undoubtedly came in 2023, when Fluminense won the Copa Libertadores.

That is the pinnacle of club football in South America, and Andre was hugely influential as the side beat Boca Juniors to win the title for the first time in their history, and he made the Team of the Year for the tournament.

Therefore, a move felt inevitable, although Andre had to wait a year longer than many expected before he made his move to the Premier League by joining Wolves.

Andre is enjoying his time with Wolves despite suffering relegation from Premier League

Andre took time to settle into English football, but he justified the hype during that first year at Molineux, with his intensity to win the ball back and passing ability ensuring he stood out.

Admittedly, he couldn’t maintain those standards last season, although the structure in place at Wolves hasn’t been good enough for some time.

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Yet, Andre was shown a lot of love by the fans, and he repaid that by agreeing to stay, with Peixoto looking to make him a key figure in his new-look Wanderers XI.

Even after his difficult 2025/26 campaign, it’s hard to imagine that there wouldn’t have been suitors from a top division, so that loyalty will be appreciated by supporters of the Old Gold.

Wolves need Andre to be a big player in promotion push

It’s early days into the new season, but Andre hasn’t rediscovered his best form yet, even though it must be said that Peixoto is searching for the right balance in the middle of the park.

Even with the fierce competition for a place in the XI, Andre is almost certain to be a mainstay, as he has too much quality for this level at his best.

He will be key to the way Peixoto wants the team to play, with how he can help control a game, and fans will be hoping he can form a productive partnership alongside Jordan James when the Welsh international is given a start.

It’s hard to imagine Andre envisaged he would be playing in the Championship after the highs he had with Fluminense, but his whole journey to making it as a professional has been incredible.

At 25, he could still be involved for over a decade, so there could be more ups and downs in his career, although Andre’s only focus now will be trying to strengthen his bond with Wolves by helping them back to the Premier League.