São Paulo favourite starts new chapter at Santos | OneFootball

Igor Vinícius has said his farewells to São Paulo, calling time on a six-year spell that included major honours, after officially being unveiled as a new signing for Santos, according to Arquibancada Tricolor.

Speaking at his presentation, the right-back reflected on his departure from São Paulo, the club where he featured in 217 games and collected a Campeonato Paulista title in 2021, a Copa do Brasil in 2023, and the 2024 Supercopa do Brasil. Vinícius acknowledged that São Paulo were keen to extend his contract for another year, but felt that the moment had come to move on. “São Paulo wanted to renew with me for one more year, but I thought it was time to leave. End of cycle,” he explained. “I was looking for new challenges and the opportunity to return to Santos is something very positive for me.”

Despite receiving interest from other clubs prior to signing, Vinícius was clear that the call from Santos left him with no doubts: “I had inquiries from some clubs, but when Santos showed interest, I didn’t think twice.”

During his time at São Paulo, Vinícius established himself as a reliable presence on the right flank, contributing seven goals and 24 assists across all competitions. His ability to combine defensive solidity with attacking support was a feature of his tenure, particularly in some of the club’s key recent triumphs.

Vinícius returns to Santos with a wealth of top-flight experience under his belt, viewing this move as both a return and a fresh challenge at a pivotal moment in his career. For São Paulo, his exit closes a chapter with a player who was both a regular starter and a contributor in title-winning campaigns.

(Source: Arquibancada Tricolor)

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