Grêmio reach 12 foreign players after Filip Krovinović signing, sparking UN selection memes | OneFootball

Grêmio have signed Croatian midfielder Filip Krovinović, taking their tally of foreign players to 12, above the CBF’s competition limit of nine.

According to Globo.com, the club had planned to prioritise Brazilians before the window, but moved for Jovane Cabral of Cabo Verde and Krovinović. Centre-back Kannemann has obtained Brazilian citizenship, so he no longer counts as a foreign player.

The squad now numbers 36, with roughly one third categorised as foreign. Players were born in eight countries across South America, Africa, Asia and Europe. The staff also includes seven Portuguese, led by head coach Luís Castro, including assistants, goalkeeper coaches and the head scout.

Midfielder Noriega plays for Peru and split his childhood between Japan and Peru. Winger Amuzu was born in Ghana, moved to Belgium when young and holds Belgian nationality. The board are assessing exits for fringe players amid the quota squeeze.

Monsalve has been rarely used by Luís Castro. Balbuena and Noriega have also featured little, although Noriega started against Fluminense. Pavon and Amuzu are out of contract at the end of the year, with talks ongoing, but negotiations with Amuzu are currently stalled and could point to a December departure.

The size and spread of the group has prompted jokes on social media likening Grêmio to a United Nations selection.

Source: Globo.com