Fortaleza outcast gets European lifeline | OneFootball

Fortaleza have confirmed the sale of centre-back Bernardo Schappo to Portugal’s Estrela da Amadora for €200,000, bringing an end to the Brazilian’s uneventful stint at the club, according to NE45.

Schappo, 26, joined Fortaleza in 2023 after impressing at Ituano and signed a contract set to run until the end of 2026. Despite arriving with promise, the defender never featured in a senior match for the Leão do Pici under Juan Pablo Vojvoda. Instead, much of his time under contract was spent away from Fortaleza on successive loan spells.

In 2024, Schappo enjoyed a productive period on loan at Vila Nova, becoming a regular starter and making 29 appearances across all competitions — the Copa do Brasil, Brazilian Série B and the Campeonato Goiano — netting four goals in the process. Before that, he had also been loaned to Botafogo-SP, registering 47 appearances and scoring twice.

Though Vila Nova had benefitted from his presence, Schappo returned to Fortaleza recently for negotiations regarding an overseas transfer. Estrela da Amadora, who play in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, agreed to take on half of Fortaleza’s share of the player’s economic rights, paying €200,000 – roughly 1.2 million reais at current exchange rates.

Schappo moves on after never breaking into a first-team role at Fortaleza. While his time in Ceará was limited to training sessions and loan exits, his consistent performances at both Botafogo-SP and Vila Nova over the last two seasons demonstrated his reliability at the back, providing him a platform for this opportunity in Europe.

The conclusion of his transfer is part of a wider period of transition for Fortaleza, who have made several changes to their defensive ranks. With players like Titi and Pol Fernández departing in recent weeks and incoming additions arriving in key areas, Schappo’s exit represents another step in reshaping the squad.