Santos FC have officially announced the signing of Lucas Veríssimo from Al-Duhail SC on a three-year contract, with an option for a further season, Softfootball reports. The 30-year-old defender returns to Vila Belmiro five years after his departure, marking a significant homecoming for the academy graduate.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano via his official X handle, Santos will pay €4 million for 70% of Veríssimo’s economic rights.
Fabrizio posted:
Lucas Verissimo has now signed a three year deal plus one year option to become new Santos player. $4m move confirmed, with Al Wakrah and Al Duhail signing contract termination. Palmeiras, Internacional, Corinthians and Atletico MG tried but Santos won the race.
The fee will be spread over four years, with the first instalment due in December. Veríssimo had most recently been on loan at Al-Wakrah SC in Qatar.
Veríssimo originally rose through Santos’ youth ranks before earning a move to S.L. Benfica in January 2021. He later returned to Brazil for a spell with Sport Club Corinthians Paulista before heading to the Middle East.
His return comes at a crucial time for Santos, who have struggled to establish defensive stability over the past season and into the current campaign. The club rotated through several centre-back options, including Zé Ivaldo, Luan Peres, Luisão, João Basso, Adonis Frías and Alexis Duarte.
Frías and Duarte were signed during last year’s mid-season window for a combined fee of around €8 million. Frías currently partners Luan Peres, while Duarte has since been loaned to Club Libertad after a series of costly errors against Associação Chapecoense de Futebol in the Campeonato Brasileiro opener.
Of the remaining options, only Zé Ivaldo remains in regular contention, though he has faced criticism after conceding three penalties in eight appearances. Luisão is on loan at Goiás Esporte Clube, while João Basso terminated his contract earlier this week.
The announcement follows renewed optimism around Neymar, who recently addressed fluctuating criticism by reaffirming his focus on regaining peak condition ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The forward stressed he is taking a day-by-day approach to ensure he is fully prepared for the global tournament, where Brazil are expected to lean heavily on his experience.
Off-field factors also influenced Veríssimo’s return. Amid heightened tensions in Qatar linked to broader conflicts in the Middle East, including recent attacks involving the United States and Israel on Iran, football activities in the region have been suspended. Reports indicate that Veríssimo’s family were keen on a permanent return to Brazil during this period of uncertainty.
Elsewhere in Europe, FC Barcelona have confirmed a double injury setback after both Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde sustained hamstring injuries during their Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Atlético Madrid, adding further defensive concerns during a critical stretch of the season.
