Cruzeiro have completed loan agreements for three attacking players from three different Saudi Pro League clubs in less than 24 hours, giving the Brazilian side a new-look forward line for the coming season.
The first deal was confirmed on Wednesday evening, when Al-Nassr announced that Brazilian winger Wesley Teixeira would join Cruzeiro on a season-long loan. The agreement does not include an option to buy.
Two further moves were then announced by Saudi clubs on Thursday night, with both deals confirmed within a six-minute period.
At 21:00 local time, Neom announced that Uruguay forward Luciano Rodriguez would move to Cruzeiro on loan for one season. Six minutes later, Al-Ettifaq confirmed that Portuguese winger Joao Costa would also join the Brazilian club for the same period.
The three transfers mean Cruzeiro’s attacking line will be formed entirely from players arriving from the Saudi Pro League. Wesley Teixeira and Joao Costa are expected to operate on either flank, with Luciano Rodriguez playing as the central striker.
The agreements represent a concentrated piece of recruitment by Cruzeiro, who have moved quickly to strengthen their attack ahead of the next campaign. All three players remain linked to Saudi clubs, but will spend the season in Brazil on temporary transfers.
Wesley Teixeira’s move from Al-Nassr was the first step in the sequence. The Brazilian club’s agreement with the Riyadh-based side was announced on Wednesday, before Neom and Al-Ettifaq confirmed their respective deals on Thursday evening.
The timing of the final two announcements underlined the speed of Cruzeiro’s activity. Rodriguez’s loan was revealed first, followed just six minutes later by confirmation of Costa’s arrival.
Cruzeiro are currently seventh in the Brazilian league, having collected 30 points from 21 matches. Their record consists of eight victories, six draws and seven defeats.
The club will hope the arrival of the three Saudi Pro League players can improve their attacking options as they continue their campaign. Rodriguez will provide a central presence, while Wesley Teixeira and Costa offer width from the wings.
No permanent transfer option has been included in Wesley Teixeira’s agreement. The available details of the loans for Rodriguez and Costa confirm that both players will join Cruzeiro for one sporting season.