After losing a big talent in Reinier Jesus, the Brazilian and Copa Libertadores champions Flamengo makes yet another big move to reinforce their squad for the upcoming season. The club has added Fiorentina’s Pedro as the latter is finally set to return to his homeland.

Pedro is a Rio de Janeiro native and began his career at the age of eight by playing for Flamengo’s youth squad before he was released at age 14. He would then end up joining Fluminense, which is Flamengo’s rival in the league.

He played 47 matches in his professional career in Fluminense. The 22-year-old striker made 17 goals in those matches for three years.

He was the team’s top scorer in the 2018 season after becoming a regular player. He had a huge setback after being struck with a torn ACL by August, and that led him to miss nine months of action with the team.

He had 10 goals in the 2018 season after he played 19 matches. He was named as the league’s Best Newcomer in that season.

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He then went on to join the Italian club Fiorentina on a five-year deal. His transfer fee was at €11 million and €8 million of that went to Fluminense to compensate for the 30% out of their 50% share in his rights.

Fiorentina has recently stated that the striker would make his return on a loan deal with Flamengo. He will play for the team this season until December 31st, but the team is likely to buy him out once the time comes.

‘ACF Fiorentina announces that they have temporarily transferred the rights of the sports performances of Abreus Dos Santos Pedro Guilherme to the Club de Reagatas do Flamengo until December 31, 2020, with an option to buy’, said in a press release from Fiorentina.

He played for just four games with his new club. His debut was a 1-1 draw back in November 2019 against Parma. He was a substitute for Kevin-Prince Boateng in the game’s closing five minutes.

After signing defensive midfielder Thiago on an 18-month loan deal with Lille, Flamengo has also said Pedro’s decision to join the team right away. He will be with the team for an initial €2.5m (which is around R$11.5m) loan fee. The team’s deal with the Italian club also comes with an option to buy the striker by the end of season for €15m (which is around R$69m).

Thiago also showed his joy in being part of the team during the program, where the team did the signing and announced Pedro at the same time.

‘I am very happy, I can’t wait to play at Maracanã with the whole nation (nickname of the Flamengo fans)’, said the young midfielder. ‘I have already played against Flamengo, I imagine what it will be like to play for them. It will be a dream come true. My passion for Flamengo comes from the cradle. It is a dream come true’.

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Words: Paul Daniel Flores

Image: PA