Lugano sign João Carbone, Flamengo’s U20 world title hero | OneFootball

Lugano have signed defender João Carbone, the Flamengo academy graduate who converted the decisive penalty in last year’s U20 Club World Cup final against Barcelona. The Swiss club announced the deal on Tuesday 10.

Carbone, 21, had aged out of the under-20s and was not in coach Filipe Luís’s plans. He was contracted to Flamengo until December 2026, and the club moved to resolve his future as he could have signed a pre-contract mid-year without a fee.

His best spell came in early 2024, when he started for the first team in pre-season. In a friendly against Philadelphia Union, he released Everton Cebolinha with a precise pass to win a penalty, which Pedro converted.

The following year he slipped down the pecking order under Bruno Pivetti, behind João Victor and Iago. In 2026 he was sent off within 10 minutes against Volta Redonda in the Carioca after two bookings while filling in at left-back, and Flamengo lost 3-0.

Flamengo have also moved on other prospects, selling Iago to Orlando City, who has already arrived in the United States. Defender Lucas Silva, 19, has signed for Cuiabá.

Source: Coluna Do Fla