Corinthians sign standout Santa Cruz defender from Copa São Paulo

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Central do Timão

·13 Februari 2026

Corinthians sign standout Santa Cruz defender from Copa São Paulo

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

On the morning of this Friday (13th), Santa Cruz, through its social media, announced the loan of defender Zé Antônio, for one year, to Corinthians, currently without the transfer of economic rights. The 17-year-old defender is expected to join the Timãozinho Under-20 team and is the first signing in this category for the season.

In an official statement, the northeastern team also informed that at the end of the loan contract, both parties will discuss a possible negotiation of the athlete's economic rights or a return to Santa Cruz. In 22 games for the Northeast team, including the state championship of the category and the 2025 and 2026 editions of Copinha, he has scored one goal.

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Photo: Evelyn Victória/Santa Cruz

“Santa Cruz Futebol Clube informs that defender Zé Antônio, a product of #BaseCoral and a member of the Under-20 team, has been loaned to Corinthians for one year, without the transfer of economic rights, which remain reserved for the Club. At the end of the loan period, the negotiation of economic rights or the return of the athlete to Arruda will take place,” said the club in a statement.

In the last season, Zé Antônio was a starter throughout the campaign for the runner-up position of Santa Cruz, surpassed by Náutico in the final of the Pernambucano. In the 2026 Copinha, Santa Cruz was part of Group 11 and ended up leaving the tournament in the first phase, after draws of 0 x 0 and 1 x 1 against Bandeirantes-SP and Tupã, respectively, in addition to a 3 x 1 defeat to Botafogo-SP.

At Corinthians, the defender coming from Santa Cruz will compete for a position with Iago Machado, Guilherme Gama, Rodrigo Richard, Lorenzo, and Ruan Victor. Meanwhile, Fernando Vera (who went to Hungarian football, aged out of the youth category and is out of plans), Thierry, Yago Cândido, and Lucão were released by Corinthians to seek new clubs.

See this photo on Instagram A post shared by Santa Cruz Futebol Clube (@santacruzfc)

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