Santos confirm Gabigol return on year-long loan from Cruzeiro | OneFootball

Santos have confirmed the return of striker Gabriel Barbosa, Gabigol, on loan from Cruzeiro until the end of the year. According to Diario Do Peixe, it is the club’s first signing of the season.

Santos will cover about R$ 1.5 million per month in wages, with Cruzeiro making up the remainder to reach the R$ 2.5 million he would earn at the Minas club.

Gabigol is under contract with Cruzeiro until December 2028, but he did not settle there and was out of Tite’s plans. Last year he was sold to Raposa after years with Flamengo.

He registered 13 goals and four assists in 49 matches.

Born in São Bernardo do Campo, he was spotted by Ídolo Eterno Zito playing futsal and joined Santos’ academy aged eight in 2004.

A declared fan of the club, he debuted for the first team in 2013. Across two earlier spells in 2013-2016 and 2018, he played 210 matches, scoring 84 goals and adding 13 assists.

He was a key part of the squad that won back-to-back Paulista titles in 2015 and 2016. He finished as Brasileirão top scorer in 2018 with 18 goals, and led the Copa do Brasil scoring charts in 2014, 2015 and 2018.

Source: Diario Do Peixe