Striker makes Bahia first-team debut after controversial Corinthians exit

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Central do Timão

·7 ottobre 2025

Striker makes Bahia first-team debut after controversial Corinthians exit

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

The forward Kauê Furquim, born in 2009 and who left Corinthians in a controversial manner in mid-August this year, made his debut as a professional athlete last Sunday night, October 5, in Bahia's 1-0 victory over Flamengo at Arena Fonte Nova, during the 27th round of the Brazilian Championship.

Coach Rogério Ceni brought the 16-year-old player onto the field at the 42nd minute of the second half, replacing midfielder Everton Ribeiro. In a press conference after the match, Bahia's coach explained Furquim's entry by highlighting the young player's potential: “He is a player in whom I see a lot of potential. Not for today, but he has potential to be developed. He is a winger who receives the ball well, dribbles well in motion, and has something that few wingers have: he knows how to cut inside and finds the timing for through balls very well, if there's a number 9 attacking the space.”

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Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

He continued: “(Kauê's debut) is a reason for joy, an investment acquired by the club to have financial gain in the future and benefit from the technical part. I am happy for him, for the opportunity. He was probably nervous and forgot one thing or another that we ask. He had a great opportunity to score because it fell on his good foot, but I am happy for having another youth player debuting with us,” he said.

It is worth remembering that Bahia is one of the teams managed by the City Group and, when he turns 18, he will be able to move to one of the teams in the conglomerate. Meanwhile, he can gain playing time in the main squad of the Bahia team, as well as participate in youth matches until the Copa São Paulo of 2030.

On August 14, 2025, Bahia deposited the R$ 14 million related to the athlete's release clause stipulated in the contract with Corinthians. According to Brazilian law, the amount could only be up to 2000 times the athlete's salary. The Bahia team made the payment precisely when the player was participating in the main team training sessions with coach Dorival Júnior.

Kauê Furquim was already being monitored by City Group representatives, as in a match against Botafogo, at Fazendinha, for the Under-17 Brazilian Championship, they were following the player's performance at Parque São Jorge. In that game, Furquim even scored a beautiful goal into the top corner.

At the time of the release clause payment, Corinthians issued an official statement announcing the total break of relations with Bahia and also filed a lawsuit with the National Dispute Resolution Chamber (CNRD) of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), alleging player poaching and requesting that the northeastern club pay 50 million euros (a little over R$ 300 million) if the athlete transfers to another City Group team when he turns 18.

In interviews at the time of the dispute, Corinthians' general youth director, Carlos Alberto Aurrichio – Nenê do Posto – stated that the player's agents had assured they would give priority to Alvinegro in a potential contract renewal, something that had already been under discussion. However, days later, Bahia paid the release clause, and the athlete reported to the Northeast.

On his social media, the player celebrated the moment: “05/10/2025 debut in professional. Just thank God for everything He has been doing in my life, childhood dream realized, and a great triumph at home, we move forward for more.” Click here to check the post.

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