São Paulo announces signing of Aurélio Buta, former Frankfurt defender

UOL revealed, first hand, that the parties already had a verbal agreement and were just waiting for the exchange of documentation from Portugal to complete the operation.

The contract provides for a contract until the middle of 2027 and has an automatic renewal clause for another season, depending on the achievement of goals.

The negotiations were led by directors Rafinha and Felipe Carvalho, responsible for the football department since the departure of executive Rui Costa. The duo focused on the search for free, low-cost athletes on the market to reinforce the squad.

A versatile player, Aurélio Buta arrives to compete for a position on the right flank, but he can also play on the left and even as a defender in a line with three defenders, a characteristic valued by Dorival Júnior's coaching staff. Originally from Angola and with Portuguese citizenship, the 29-year-old defender built practically his entire career in European football. Developed by Benfica, he played for Royal Antwerp, in Belgium, Stade de Reims, in France, Eintracht Frankfurt, in Germany, and played on loan at FC Copenhagen, in Denmark, in the final stretch of last season.

REFORMULATION

Aurélio Buta is the fourth reinforcement sent by São Paulo in this transfer window. Before him, the club agreed on the arrivals of Victor Sá, Domingos Duarte and Newton.

At the same time, the board is promoting a reformulation of the cast. Alan Franco was loaned to Tigres, Tapia is negotiating a departure for the Columbus Crew, Luan is close to a contract termination, Young agreed with Portimonense and Cédric Soares remains out of the plans as he looks for a new club.