NYCFC sign forward Gabriel Pereira from Corinthians

Earlier today, New York City FC announced they signed 20-year-old forward Gabriel Pereira from Corinthians in Brazil’s Série A. The contract runs through the 2026 season with an option for 2027.

Hudson River Blue first reported the potential signing on March 7.

The pacey left-footed 20-year-old is an inverted right-winger, filling a gap left in New York City’s attack after the departures of Ismael Tajouri-Shradi and Jesús Medina. NYCFC’s current front line is lethal but imbalanced: Taty Castellanos, Talles Magno, Thiago, and Héber all prefer to play on the left and make runs into the box.

Pereira is the second major signing in what has been a quiet transfer window for NYCFC, but that’s the nature of how the club conducts business under sporting director David Lee. In February, NYCFC made their other significant trade, signing 26-year-old center-back Thiago Martins to a Designated Player contract in order to bolster an already solid backline.

It might be some time before we see Pereira on the field. Last year, Talles Magno and Thiago were eased into the lineup after they were signed, and given time to be integrated into the squad. It could be that Pereira will be treated with similar patience, and be allowed to transition into the team. Or it could be that he sees minutes sooner rather than later: This New York City squad desperately needs a natural right-winger.

Pereira will take one of the club’s three U22 Initiative spots along with Nicolás Acevedo and Thiago. Transfermarkt values the the left-footed forward who plays on the right at $2.2 million. Pereira made his debut for the Corinthians Senior Team in 2020.

The forward will join the team in New York after he gets his P-1 visa.