Corinthians youth product, Rafael Bilu joins Thailand's Ratchaburi | OneFootball

After ending his spell at Avaí, former Corinthians forward Rafael Bilu was announced as a new signing for Ratchaburi in Thailand. This will be his first experience outside Brazil. With the club, he will compete in Thai League 1, the Thai FA Cup, the Thai League Cup, and the AFC Champions League Two, the team’s main international challenge this season.

Developed in Corinthians’ youth academy, Bilu began his journey with the club at the age of 7 through the Chute Inicial project. At 10, he passed a trial with more than 2,000 candidates, continuing his development at Terrão. During that time, he stood out in the youth ranks and won important titles, such as the U-17 World Cup and the U-17 Taça BH. Despite his rise through the youth system, he had few opportunities with the senior squad and was loaned out to clubs such as América-MG, CSA, and Mirassol before joining Juventude on a permanent deal in 2021.

Corinthians Agency

The move to Thai football comes just a few weeks after Bilu terminated his contract with Avaí. Although he was under contract until the end of the season, the forward and the club chose to part ways by mutual agreement. During his time with Leão da Ilha, he made 12 appearances and scored three goals, finding the net in the Campeonato Catarinense, the Copa do Brasil, and Brazil’s Serie B.

Founded in 2004, Ratchaburi is known as “The Dragons” and has established itself among the main teams in Thai football over the last decade. Champions of the second division in 2012 and winners of the Thai FA Cup in 2016, the club has frequently finished near the top of the national top flight and has also gained ground on the Asian continental stage.

Last season, the team finished third in Thai League 1, securing a place in the next edition of the AFC Champions League Two. It will be the club’s third international appearance since making its debut in AFC-organized competitions in 2021.

A product of Corinthians’ youth academy, Rafael Bilu has also had spells at América-MG, CSA, Cruzeiro, Mirassol, Juventude, Criciúma, CRB, Guarani, and Avaí. The forward has already arrived in Thailand, where he will have the mission of strengthening Ratchaburi’s attack throughout the 2026/27 season.

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