Red Bull Salzburg sign striker Fernando
Fernando dos Santos Pedro is moving from Ukrainian UEFA Champions League starter Shakhtar Donetsk to FC Red Bull Salzburg and has signed a contract until June 30, 2027. The Bulls announced this on Thursday.
The 23-year-old Brazilian forward joined Shakhtar from his native country in the summer of 2018. A year later, Fernando was loaned out to Sporting Lisbon for six months and then returned to the Ukrainians.
In all, the lightning-fast striker has scored 12 goals (two of them in the UEFA Champions League) in 69 appearances for Shakhtar. Fernando comes to Salzburg as a two-time Ukrainian champion (2018/19, 2019/20) and cup title winner (2018/19).
Due to the situation at his former club in Ukraine, the Brazilian has been training individually in his home country for the past few weeks. Thanks to the immediate agreement with Shakhtar on transfer formalities, Fernando has started training at FC Red Bull Salzburg with immediate effect. Of course, he is only eligible to play in the coming season.
“We have known Fernando for a very long time and have been following his career closely for three years. From the way he plays football, he fits in perfectly with our philosophy because he brings a lot of aggressiveness and pace to the level with goals in the Champions League. We are very happy that we were able to win an absolute dream player and we are convinced that he will continue to develop with us in Salzburg – in our idea of football,” says Salzburg sporting director Christoph Freund.
Fernando also said: “I’m overjoyed to be part of FC Red Bull Salzburg with immediate effect. It’s a big club that shines in the Champions League year after year. The last few months haven’t been easy for me, so I’m looking forward to attacking here accordingly. In the talks with the sports director and coach, I felt that they really wanted me here. This trust is very important to me and I want to repay it. I am sure that I will quickly find my feet in this young team and that I will play my part in the success next season.”