With his contract with São Paulo coming to an end, left-back Welington signed a pre-contract with Southampton, England. The player is therefore expected to join the English club from January 2025.
The player signed a four-year contract with the English team. São Paulo was informed about the agreement this Wednesday.
Welington had already accepted Southampton’s offer, as reported by Sports Gazette earlier this month. He and his agent were just resolving bureaucratic issues to sign the contract. As the report found out, the winger has already undergone medical examinations at the new club and was approved.
The left-back’s contract with São Paulo extends until the end of the year. The English club is still considering negotiating with Tricolor for the immediate release of the 23-year-old athlete. The São Paulo board of directors is not opposed to the negotiation, as long as, in exchange, they receive financial compensation.
The information regarding the signing of the pre-contract was anticipated by Uol and confirmed by Sports Gazette.
São Paulo had been negotiating the renewal of Welington’s contract since the beginning of the year, after Caio Paulista’s surprising departure to Palmeiras. The parties, however, did not reach an agreement.
Although he has already signed with Southampton, the player should be a starter for São Paulo in this Wednesday’s match against Grêmio, at Morumbis, for the 17th round of the Brazilian Championship. The ball starts rolling at 8 pm (Brasília time).
Recently, the president of the tricolor club, Julio Casares, said that Welington will continue to play for Luis Zubeldía’s team while he has a contract with São Paulo.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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