NEW YORK, N.Y., March 17, 2022 – New York City Football Club (NYCFC) today announced the signing of Forward Gabriel Pereira from Brazilian side Corinthians on a contract through the 2026 season with an option for 2027.
The 20-year-old will join NYCFC pending the receipt of his ITC and a P-1 Visa. The left-footed forward joins the ‘Boys in Blue’ as part of Major League Soccer’s U22 initiative.
Pereira said: “It’s an honor to join New York City Football Club. Being able to be a part of a fantastic team with such talented players is really exciting to me. I can’t wait to meet everyone at the Club, I know I still have a lot to improve, but I know NYCFC and City Football Group has an incredible record of developing and helping players to grow. I look forward to continuing to develop as a player and professional on-and-off the field and hope I can contribute to the team’s success this year.
“Having the opportunity to move to New York was really attractive to me. To represent and live in the greatest City in the world and bring joy to its passionate fans made it an easy decision. I want to get to know the City and I can’t wait to play at Yankee Stadium and meet all of our fans as soon as possible. To Corinthians, I’d like to thank all the fans, players and staff that have supported me every day during my time there. I wouldn’t have been able to take this next step in my career without them. I wish them the best of luck the rest of this season and I will be supporting them from afar.”
The native of São Paulo, Brazil, has made 48 First Team appearances for the top Brazilian team, Corinthians dating back to 2020 and has recorded two goals and three assists during that time. Pereira also brings continental cup experience having played in the Copa Sudamericana in 2021.
NYCFC Sporting Director, David Lee, said: “We are thrilled to be able to bring Gabriel to New York City Football Club. In Gabriel, we’re acquiring a very talented and highly regarded prospect that we know will bring a new attacking dimension to our team. Gabriel is a quick, skillful, and dynamic left-footed winger that can take on opponents in 1v1 situations. His First Team appearances for a Club the size of Corinthians at such a young age highlight how talented he is. The fact that players of his quality continue to choose NYCFC is a testament to the way we work and develop young players, with a commitment to finding a pathway for them to realize their full potential.
“Gabriel will add further depth and competition to an already talented group of attacking players at the Club. We know there is an adaptation period for any player arriving to the league, and especially for young players, but we have a strong locker room to help his acclimatization process and we are looking forward to welcoming him to New York.”
Pereira will travel to New York upon receipt of his P-1 visa. Everyone at the Club would like to welcome Gabriel to NYCFC.
Transaction: New York City Football Club acquires Forward Gabriel Pereira from Corinthians on contract through the 2026 season with an option for 2027.
Name: Gabriel Pereira
Position: Forward
Height: 5’7”
Date of Birth: 08/01/2001
Age: 20
Birthplace: São Paulo, Brazil
Last Club: Corinthians*
How Acquired:* Permanent transfer through the 2026 season with an option for 2027
