São Paulo defender Luizão is set to join West Ham United in January.
Following intense talks for the 20-year-old’s arrival in London, the player has already signed a pre-contract with the club. The information was first published by 90min and confirmed by Sport Witness.
Luizão is initially moving to West Ham as a free agent. Even though his contract with São Paulo only expires at the end of January, he’s joining the Hammers early in the month, our sources say.
The Brazilian season starts in January, with players being on holiday since mid-November. So for the Tricolor, it makes no sense for them to hold an athlete who’ll not be used for the rest of the year.
That’s why he’s being allowed to leave Brazil earlier than the contract says, even though he’d need a rescission with São Paulo to be officially registered by West Ham before the 31st of January, when he actually becomes a free agent.
Luizão was a product of the Tricolor’s youth ranks, and was promoted by manager Rogério Ceni after the U-20 Copinha this year. In his first season as a professional, he made 20 appearances, with big potential shown and proving he can be a starter in the first team.
São Paulo, however, failed to agree to a new contract with the player, and now regret seeing him leaving for free. Due to the player’s wish of leaving the club some kind of compensation, West Ham have been trying to find an agreement with them, but with no success so far.
