Raul Gustavo, 26-year-old Brazilian defender most recently with Ferencváros in Hungary, officially just signed on as a new New York City FC player.
The center-back moves to NYCFC from Ferencváros for a transfer fee worth $1.2 million, according to a report from ge.globo in his native Brazil. The report indicates that incentives in the deal mean Raul Gustavo's transfer fee could rise to as high as $1.5 million.
Full name Raul Gustavo Pereira Bicalho, his move to New York City was first reported by CSAK Foci on July 7. It's been something of a long wait to see the move finalized, as his NYCFC transfer seemed firmed up by at least July 18, when CSAK Foci reported NYCFC and Ferencváros had come to terms on a deal. If you followed Raul Gustavo's Instagram in recent weeks, he made it pretty clear he was headed to NYCFC. He was posting from the Manchester City FC training facility a few weeks ago on July 29, so it seemed like a matter of when not if regarding his signing.
Hudson River Blue Staff
The left-footed central defender needed a move because he wasn't in the plans of the Ferencváros manager who replaced Pascal Jansen, former MLS MVP Robbie Keane. Jansen, the manager of Ferencváros when Raul Gustavo initially signed with the Hungarian club in July 2024, now reunites with the Brazilian defender.
Raul Gustavo's time playing with Ferencváros was limited in part by a nasty broken collarbone injury he suffered late in a UEFA Europa League home loss to Tottenham Hotspur FC of the English Premier League on October 3, 2024. That kept him out for two months, not returning until December 12, 2024, when he entered as a 77th-minute substitute during Fradi's 5-0 Europa League pummeling at the hands of PAOK of the Greek Super League.
He'd only play one more match for Jansen in Hungary, going 90 minutes in a 1-0 away win at Nyíregyháza on December 15 – and then Pascal picked up and left for New York City while the Hungarian league took a winter break. Once Robbie Keane took over, Raul Gustavo made just 11 appearances across the final 25 matches for Ferencváros across all competitions, only in Keane's Starting XI six times.
The defender comes to New York City FC at a time when their back line needs reinforcing. Club captain and fellow Brazilian center-back, Thiago Martins, got ruled out for numerous weeks after knee surgery. Raul Gustavo arrives to replace not just his injured countryman but also the recently-sold Birk Risa, the team's last left-footed central-defender with experience filling in at left-back, a player NYCFC paid a reported $2 million to sign during the summer of 2023.
Hudson River Blue Staff
Not since 2022 with Corinthians in Brazil, though, has Raul Gustavo logged more than 20 appearances in a season. Injuries have played their part in keeping him on the sidelines, as along with the collarbone break he suffered in Hungary in 2024, a knee injury curtailed Raul Gustavo's 2023 season spent on loan with NYCFC's City Football Group cousins, Esporte Clube Bahia.
New York City will need him to arrive healthy and ready to play the way he did for Corinthians in 2022 in what you'd consider his last full, healthy, uninterrupted year of games. In that 2022 season he made 33 appearances across all competitions for the São Paulo-based club, scoring four goals and adding two assists while functioning as a central part of how Corinthians played in possession, putting up impressive numbers in terms of his passing, ball-carrying, and attacking contributions for a central defender.
His performance in the 2022 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, in particular, stood out: Raul Gustavo was in the 95th percentile of the league's center-backs for carries of the ball, the 86th percentile for touches, and the 86th percentile for attempted passes, per FBref.com. He also placed in the 82nd percentile for combined tackles and interceptions, so at his best, Raul Gustavo looks like a defensive disruptor who also helps push a team upfield.
That's what New York City will be hoping to get in their new center-back. Read on for the full text of NYCFC's release announcing Raul Gustavo's signing, which includes some quotes from the player and the club's Sporting Director, David Lee.
New York City FC today announced that it has acquired Defender Raul Gustavo from Hungarian side Ferencvárosi TC on a contract through 2027 with options for 2028 and 2029. The 26-year-old Center Back will join the team pending receipt of his P-1 Visa.
The Brazilian defender joins New York City from Ferencvárosi TC, where he made 24 appearances and scored two goals across all competitions for the Hungarian club. Gustavo played a key role in helping Ferencváros win the league title last season and featured in the UEFA Europa League.
“We’re happy to welcome Raul Gustavo to New York City,” said Sporting Director David Lee. “Raul is a left-footed center back who brings physical presence, composure on the ball, and valuable European experience. Raul brings a unique background having already been part of City Football Group, during his loan with Bahia in 2023, and his previous work with Pascal at Ferencváros, which we believe will help Raul adapt once he joins us in New York City. Raul has proven himself in high-pressure environments and has the characteristics we believe will make him a good fit for our system. We’re confident Raul will strengthen our backline as we enter the final stretch of the season.”
Gustavo began his professional career with Brazilian club S.C. Corinthians Paulista, where the Defender came through the academy and made 53 appearances, scoring six goals and providing three assists across all competitions, including the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana. Gustavo also spent time on loan with CFG club Esporte Clube Bahia featuring in 18 matches.
“I’m excited to join New York City FC,” said Raul Gustavo. “This is a fantastic opportunity for me, and I’m grateful to be part of a Club with vast ambition. I’ve followed the growth of MLS and New York City’s journey, and I’m motivated to contribute to the team’s success. As a Defender, I take pride in being solid at the back and helping the team stay competitive in every match. I’m looking forward to joining my teammates, working with the coaching staff, and meeting the fans. I can’t wait to wear the badge and give my all for the Club.”
