João Marcelo to spend next sporting year at Cruzeiro
Porto defender João Marcelo will spend the upcoming sporting year at Cruzeiro, as confirmed by zerozero. The central defender traveled to Belo Horizonte on Monday and will have to pass his medical exams with distinction in order to join the team at Toca da Raposa.
At 23 years old, João Marcelo is a player favored by Porto coach Sérgio Conceição. However, with the continued presence of Ivan Marcano, he realized that he would continue to have limited playing time at FC Porto.
João Marcelo has a contract with Porto until 2027 and a release clause of 40 million euros. He was loaned by Tombense to the B team in 2020, and his performances convinced Porto to invest 500,000 euros in his transfer in 2022. His contract was also extended in January 2023.
During his time with the Porto first team, João Marcelo has only played two official matches, both in the 21/22 season.
At Cruzeiro, under the guidance of coach Pepa, João Marcelo will have the opportunity to make his debut in the Brazilian top league. The loan deal is valid until June 2024 and includes a purchase option of seven million euros. Cruzeiro will be responsible for covering his entire salary.
FC Porto will still have Pepe, Marcano, Fábio Cardoso, and David Carmo as options for the central defense, with Gabriel Brás, Romain Correia, Zé Pedro, and Eric Pimentel from the B team emerging as alternatives.
This move to Cruzeiro presents an exciting opportunity for João Marcelo to gain more playing time and experience in a different league.
What options does Porto have for their central defense after João Marcelo’s departure
Porto defender João Marcelo will spend the upcoming sporting year at Cruzeiro, as confirmed by zerozero. The 23-year-old has traveled to Belo Horizonte and will need to pass his medical exams before officially joining the team at Toca da Raposa.
João Marcelo is highly regarded by Porto coach Sérgio Conceição, but he realized that his playing time would continue to be limited with the presence of Ivan Marcano. Despite having a contract with Porto until 2027 and a release clause of 40 million euros, João Marcelo has decided to go on loan to Cruzeiro.
Cruzeiro, under the guidance of coach Pepa, provides João Marcelo with the opportunity to debut in the Brazilian top league. The loan deal is valid until June 2024, with an option for Cruzeiro to purchase the player for seven million euros. Furthermore, Cruzeiro will cover his entire salary during this period.
At Porto, João Marcelo has only played two official matches, both during the 21/22 season. This move to Cruzeiro offers an exciting opportunity for him to gain more playing time and experience in a different league.
Meanwhile, Porto will still have Pepe, Marcano, Fábio Cardoso, and David Carmo as options for the central defense. There are also emerging alternatives from the B team, including Gabriel Brás, Romain Correia, Zé Pedro, and Eric Pimentel.
Overall, this loan move presents a promising opportunity for João Marcelo to further develop his skills and contribute to Cruzeiro’s success in the Brazilian league.
Great addition to Cruzeiro’s defense! João Marcelo’s experience from FC Porto will surely strengthen their backline. Excited to see him in action!
Great addition to Cruzeiro’s defense! Excited to see how João Marcelo contributes to the team’s success.