Gabriel Paulista unveiled by Corinthians, selects number 20 and calls move a childhood dream | OneFootball

Corinthians unveiled centre-back Gabriel Paulista on Monday afternoon, and he will wear number 20 after leaving Besiktas. He has signed a contract until 31 December 2027.

According to Meu Timao, he completed medicals on Saturday, a day after landing in São Paulo, and the move was confirmed on Sunday following his exit from Besiktas in Türkiye. He watched the Ponte Preta win at Neo Química Arena that day in the Campeonato Paulista.

Paulista said joining fulfils a childhood dream as a lifelong Corinthians supporter. He explained he had been in talks for one year with his representative Renan and with Fabinho Soldado, while recent family matters, including his mother’s dementia, made the choice difficult. He added that being with family matters more to him than money.

He said an agreement with Besiktas came first, which allowed talks with Corinthians to resume and conclude. He credited his brother, a Gaviões member who shaped his allegiance, and admitted it has not fully sunk in.

Developed at Vitória, he debuted in 2010, excelled in the Baiano and joined Villarreal in 2013, then Arsenal two years later, winning the FA Cup. In 2017 he moved to Valencia, playing more than 200 games and winning the Copa del Rey, before brief spells at Atlético de Madrid and Besiktas, the latter from mid 2024 until his contract ended this January.

Corinthians continue to explore the market. A deal for midfielder Matheus Pereira of Fortaleza is advanced, as is one for right-back Pedro Milans, and they are monitoring left-back Gabriel Fuentes of Fluminense plus midfielders Alisson of São Paulo, Allan of Flamengo, Luis Mandaca of Juventude and Dieguinho of Ceará.

Source: Meu Timao