Palmeiras secured the signing of 19-year-old forward Pablo Neri from Cruzeiro on a two-year contract, as initially reported by Lance! and confirmed by Itatiaia.
Contract Expiration and Rights Split
Pablo Neri reached the final stretch of his contract with Cruzeiro without agreeing to an extension, according to reporting from Lance! and Itatiaia. To facilitate an early exit, both clubs structured a deal allowing Cruzeiro to retain 20% of the player’s federative rights. Palmeiras acquired the remaining 80% stake, locking the young forward into a two-year deal that integrates him directly into the under-20 squad under coach Allan Barcellos, as noted by Lance!
Release Clause and Heavy Market Interest
Palmeiras established a 100 million euro release clause—equivalent to approximately R$ 591 million (or R$ 592 million according to some sources)—for international clubs targeting the teenager, according to CNN Brasil and Lance!. Before choosing the Alviverde project, Neri’s representation evaluated 13 different proposals spanning youth and professional setups. According to Lance!, domestic inquiries arrived from Corinthians, São Paulo, Botafogo, Bahia, Fortaleza, and Ceará, while Portuguese sides Santa Clara and Benfica’s under-23 team also made approaches. The player ultimately selected Palmeiras due to the stability of the project and the success of the transition process from the youth categories to professional football, aided by coordinator JP Sampaio.
Cruzeiro Track Record and Copinha Success
Pablo Neri departs Cruzeiro’s under-20 division after making 94 official appearances, scoring 12 goals, and providing six assists, according to Itatiaia and CNN Brasil. Lance! records a slightly adjusted total of 40 appearances with seven goals and six assists specifically for the 2026 season. Notably, Neri played a central role in Cruzeiro’s victory at the 2026 Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, contributing two goals and four assists during the tournament, which included a 2-1 win over São Paulo in the final as detailed by Lance!.
Did You Know?
Pablo Neri’s €100 million release clause for international clubs is estimated to be around 591 million to 592 million reais.
Frequently Asked Questions
What team did Pablo Neri join?
Pablo Neri signed with Palmeiras on a two-year contract to play for their under-20 squad.
What percentage of rights does Cruzeiro keep?
Cruzeiro retained 20% of the player’s federative rights for a potential future sale, while Palmeiras holds 80%.
What is Pablo Neri’s release clause?
The forward holds a €100 million release clause for international transfers.
Which club did Neri win a title with in 2026?
Neri helped Cruzeiro win the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior in January 2026 before his transfer.
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