Billal Brahimi moves to Brazilian giants Santos

Former Algeria national team attacker Billal Brahimi has taken an interesting turn in his career after completing a transfer to Brazilian club Santos FC this week.

 

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The former OGC Nice forward will join forces with former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar in Brazil’s Serie A, also known as the Brasileirão. The 25-year-old joins on a contract that will run until the end of 2026.

Brahimi will have to adapt quickly with the season already past its halfway point, where Santos are currently engaged in an attempt to avoid a relegation battle. The Alvinegro are in 15th position on the 20-team table with the bottom four teams relegated to the Serie B at the end of the season.

A promising player early in his career who represented his nation of birth, France, at the U-19 level, Brahimi has spent the last two seasons looking for a permanent home. He fell out of the rotation at Nice following the 2022-23 season, during which he produced 5 goals and 2 assists in 37 matches across all competitions. On loan to Stade Brestois during the 2023-24 season and Belgian club Sint-Truiden last season, Brahimi failed to secure a permanent move away from Nice.

Brahimi represented Algeria in four matches during 2022, contributing an assist in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Tanzania in a 2-0 victory. Santos’ next match is on Sunday when they travel to face Red Bull Bragantino.

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