Rio Ave confirmed on Friday the signing of 18‑year‑old Brazilian forward Samuel Alves from Botafogo. The club secured a four‑year contract until 2030 and paid roughly €500,000, acquiring 90% of the player’s economic rights.

Who is Samuel Alves?

Samuel Alves made his senior debut for Botafogo in January 2025 and quickly attracted attention with his pace and physical presence. Despite his youth, he has already logged minutes in Brazil’s top flight. His agent disclosed that the striker sought a European challenge to speed up his development, and Rio Ave offered a clear growth plan.

How does the signing affect Rio Ave’s squad?

Alves adds a fresh option to an attack already featuring Sotiris Silaidopoulos. The coach expects the youngster to alternate between a traditional centre‑forward role and a second‑striker position, giving the team more tactical flexibility. Holding 90% of the economic rights also protects a future profit if the player is sold. The €500,000 outlay is among the club’s larger expenditures this window.

What to expect in upcoming matches?

Rio Ave sits 12th in the Primeira Liga with 36 points, recording 8 wins, 12 draws and 14 losses from 34 games, and a recent form of DLDLD. Their last result was a 1‑1 draw with Casa Pia on 16 May 2026. The board hopes Alves can turn draws into wins and help close the 52‑point gap to leaders FC Porto.

What’s the financial impact?

With 90% of the economic rights, Rio Ave controls most of any future resale value of Alves. The remaining 10% stays with Botafogo, guaranteeing the Brazilian club a share of any future profit. This structure is common in young‑talent deals and could yield significant returns if the player develops as projected.

Mid‑term outlook

Should Samuel Alves adapt quickly to the pace of the Primeira Liga, he could become a key figure for the side. The coach already plans to involve him in intensive attacking drills and video analysis sessions to speed up integration. Fans, eager for more goals, are watching the new signing closely.