Rio Ave officially announced the signing of 18-year-old striker Samuel Alves from Botafogo on Friday (3/7). The player signed a contract valid until 2030 with the Portuguese club, currently 5th in the Primeira Liga with 0 points, and arrives to strengthen the offensive sector.

Who is Samuel Alves?

Samuel Alves is a young talent developed by Botafogo. The striker passed through Flamengo's youth system before standing out in Botafogo's under-17 team in 2025, scoring 19 goals in 37 games. In the current season, his first in the under-20 team, he scored six goals in 19 matches.

Transfer details

Rio Ave paid approximately R$ 3.5 million (€ 600,000) to Botafogo for the transfer, retaining 10% of the player's economic rights. The Portuguese club, part of the multi-club network of Greek magnate Evangelos Marinakis, an ally of John Textor, sees Samuel Alves as a bet on young talent.

Future expectations

Rio Ave expects Samuel Alves to develop further in Portugal, contributing to the club's sustainable growth. The next fixture for Rio Ave is against Marítimo, away, on December 13, 2026. Currently, the team is without midfielder Brandon Aguilera, who is sidelined with an injury.