OFFICIAL: Flamengo secure Saul Niguez arrival

Flamengo announced on Wednesday the signing of Spanish midfielder Saul Niguez from Atletico Madrid on a contract that commits him until December 2028, the Brazilian club announced on social media.

"Need reinforcement? Better call Saul", was the message posted by the Carioca club on their social networks and in allusion to the popular television series of the same name.

The Brazilian side described the Spaniard in their message as a versatile player who dominates the midfield.

Saul, 30, arrives for the first time in Brazilian football after ending his spell at Sevilla last month, where he was loaned out by the 'Colchoneros' for the last season.

Born on 21st November 1994, he began his career at a very young age in the youth ranks of Atleti, a club where he spent almost his entire career and where he won two Europa Leagues, a Copa del Rey, a Spanish League and a Spanish Super Cup.

During his time at Atletico Madrid, Saul shared a team for a few seasons with the man who will now be his coach, former Brazilian full-back Filipe Luis, who left the Madrid club in 2019 to join Flamengo, first as a player and more recently as a coach.

He also coincided with current 'Mengao' midfielder Jorginho during his loan spell at Chelsea in 2021, when he won the Club World Cup after beating Palmeiras 2-1 in the final.

Saul had begun negotiations with Trabzonspor of Turkey, but this week announced that the transfer "did not happen due to personal issues", according to his official account on the social network “X”.

Flamengo are in second place in the Brazilian Championship with 30 points, just behind Cruzeiro, who lead the league with three more points but a game in hand.

In August they will host Internacional of Porto Alegre in the last 16 of the Copa Libertadores.