Tijuana break the bank for São Paulo academy star | OneFootball

Former São Paulo academy forward Vitinho is set for a new chapter in Mexico after completing a transfer from Atlético de San Luis to Tijuana, as reported by Arquibancada Tricolor.

Vitinho, who came through São Paulo’s Cotia system and made headlines during the 2022 Copinha by scoring five goals en route to a semifinal finish, had joined Atlético de San Luis in June 2022. Over his spell in San Luis, the Brazilian featured in close to 100 matches, finding the net 18 times and registering eight assists before the move to Tijuana.

The reported transfer fee stands at around $3 million, marking a significant investment from Tijuana as they look ahead to the forthcoming 2025 Apertura campaign. For Vitinho, the switch continues his development in the Liga MX, following an extended run under various managers, including a stint when André Jardine was in charge at San Luis.

Before his time in Mexico, Vitinho’s trajectory at São Paulo was marked by strong performances at youth level but he did not break through into the senior Morumbi outfit before heading abroad. In San Luis, his contribution reflected steady adaptation, as he established himself as a regular attacking presence over two full seasons.

His move was preceded by a brief period training separately from the San Luis first team while the transfer was finalized. Tijuana, who announced the deal with a public welcome, now adds a player with proven attacking productivity and familiarity with the league’s demands.

According to Arquibancada Tricolor, the sale underscores both Vitinho’s progress since leaving Brazil and the continued export of São Paulo’s academy graduates across the Americas. As he embarks on this new spell in Tijuana, Vitinho will aim to build on his numbers from San Luis and play a pivotal part in the club’s aims for the Apertura.

(Source: Arquibancada Tricolor)