São Paulo signs a pre-contract with striker Erick from Ceará, but he will only arrive in 2024

São Paulo concluded this Monday (25), a pre-contract with striker Erick, 25, from Ceará. However, his arrival at Tricolor will only occur in 2024. Currently linked to voice until the end of this season, Erick could have been released to São Paulo during the middle of the year, provided that the club from São Paulo paid the required fine of R$ 30 million by the club from Ceará.

Despite São Paulo’s efforts to negotiate a lower amount, Ceará remained unshakable, willing to release the player only upon full payment of the clause or at the end of the current contract. Erick himself expressed to the board his intention to fulfill the contract until the end and expressed the desire to conclude this year’s Série B season.

IT’S FROM SAO PAULO!!

São Paulo signed a pre-contract agreement with striker Erick, from Ceará, for 2024.

Tricolor will now try to negotiate with Ceará to get the player released immediately.

Andre Hernan pic.twitter.com/bKtDj87jrM

— Diario de Torcedor (@DiarioGols) July 24, 2023

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_{São Paulo signed a pre-contract agreement with striker Erick (Reproduction/Twitter/@DiarioGols)}

Indication of Dorival Junior and terms of contract

São Paulo secures the hiring of striker Erick, selected by Dorival Júnior, to meet a shortage in the squad. The player acted under the guidance of the coach in Ceará in the first half of last year. The agreement with Erick will last for three years, until the end of 2027. Both Dorival Júnior and his predecessor, Rogério Ceni, expressed the need for a fast striker to the board. Erick’s skills on the sidelines fit the profile desired by São Paulo, who have been looking for such characteristics in the market for some time. In 2023, the striker recorded 14 goals and 10 assists in 38 matches played. In the previous year, he accumulated 43 appearances and 5 goals.

Dorival Júnior had been asking for a player with Erick’s qualities since he arrived at São Paulo. The striker plays a key role at right winger and is known for his speed. In Ceará, Erick is an undisputed starter in Série B. During the current transfer window, the club has faced difficulties in reinforcing the squad due to financial issues.

_{Striker Erick is known for his speed (Photo: reproduction/Instagram/@erick)}

transfer window

São Paulo is facing difficulties to reinforce the squad in this transfer window. So far, the only signing has been Alexandre Pato, who arrived at no cost after being without a club. On the other hand, coach Dorival Júnior expressed that he did not need new players, as long as the board kept all the current athletes.

The second transfer window started on July 3, and São Paulo has another 14 days to look for reinforcements at the request of Dorival Júnior, since the deadline for signings ends on August 2, but so far, the club has only sold one: the young Newerton, striker of the under-20 team, was transferred to Shakhtar Donetsk, from Ukraine, without even debuting as a professional.

At the same time, the board is committed to keeping all players in the squad for decisions in the second half. Facing this challenge, the club seeks a balance between new hires and the maintenance of its talents to strengthen the team in the continuity of the season.

São Paulo faces Corinthians at Neo Química Arena, this Tuesday, for the first game of the semifinals of the Copa do Brasil. The confrontation starts at 21:30 (Brasília time).

Featured photo: Erick signs a pre-contract with São Paulo. Playback/Instagram/@erick