The Botafogo Football Club has officially announced the signing of striker Elias Manoel, 23, marking the continuation of the club's commitment to enhancing its roster for the 2025 season. The announcement was made on Thursday, February 27, cementing the player's contract with the Rio de Janeiro club through December 2027.
Hailing from Brazil and having developed his skills at the Grêmio, Elias brings with him valuable experience garnered during his time playing for Real Salt Lake and New York Red Bulls over the past few years. This season, he is considered the ninth new signing for Botafogo, coming on the heels of the club's strong performances last year, including their triumphs during the Brasileirao and the Libertadores.
Elias Manoel first made waves with Grêmio when he debuted professionally back in 2021, playing 39 matches and scoring nine goals. Following this, he moved to the United States, where he played for New York Red Bulls, contributing significantly with 18 goals and six assists during his tenure, thereby solidifying his presence as one of the top attacking players. His abilities include not just scoring but also creating opportunities for his teammates.
Recently, Elias found himself involved in negotiations between New York Red Bulls and Real Salt Lake, where he unanimously rejected the latter club's offer, enthusiasm now directed at joining the Botafogo squad. The transfer cost is approximated to be around $1 million (about R$ 5.7 million), which the club has viewed favorably as it fits within the strategy of seeking talents at reasonable costs, thereby reinforcing the team’s frontline.
Given Elias's diverse playing style, he can fulfil multiple roles on the attack, functioning effectively as both a center-forward and as a wing player. His speed and physical explosiveness lend him significant advantages on the field.
Arriving just over a week before the announcement, Elias has already integrated himself with the squad and is currently participating in training activities at the club's training facility. This early integration is timely as Botafogo is gearing up to face Racing Club for the Recopa Sudamericana title, where they will need all the firepower to overturn their first-leg defeat.
His signing is particularly significant as it not only adds depth to the Botafogo offense but also serves as a tactical advantage following recent player departures, highlighting the club's ambitious strategy for the season.
Fans are curious to see how Elias adapts to the Brazilian football scene after his experience abroad, with expectations high for him to make substantial contributions throughout the 2025 season and beyond.
The overall strategy from Botafogo underlines the approach taken by the club’s leadership, including John Textor, which prioritizes securing promising players at lower financial exposures, potentially yielding high returns. Therefore, the agreement is strategically planned to offer the club chances not just for internal competition but also for future revenues if Elias performs exceptionally well leading to potential transfers.
Understanding the importance of personal statistics from Elias's career, it deserves mentioning his impressive record of being influential during attacking plays, something Botafogo hopes to leverage going forward as they aim to retain titles and challenge for new cups this season.
Overall, the arrival of Elias Manoel at Botafogo is expected to be mutually beneficial, as both player and club strive for success through this fresh engagement.