Spanish club confirms Lucas Ribeiro signing

Spanish second-tier side Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa has announced the signing of Lucas Ribeiro Costa, a move that comes despite the attacker’s unresolved standoff with Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Spanish club, competing in La Liga 2, confirmed the transfer on its official website on Friday, stating that Ribeiro joins as a free agent on a one-year deal. The announcement, however, has added a fresh twist to the highly publicised standoff between the player and his former South African club.

“Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa has reached an agreement with Lucas Ribeiro for the player to join the club,” the La Liga 2 club confirmed the move on its website on Friday.

“Lucas Ribeiro Costa [born in Saint Helena, 09/10/1998] is an attacking footballer who has developed his football career in countries such as Brazil, France, and Belgium. In his most recent spell, he played for Mamelodi Sundowns FC in South Africa. He joins León as a free agent on a one-year deal. Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa welcomes Lucas Ribeiro to our club and wishes him every success in his new role in León.”

🔴 OFICIAL

Lucas Ribeiro se incorpora a la Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa

🔗 Más info: https://t.co/MjONgIcFLh#AúpaCultu | #UnoDeLosNuestros pic.twitter.com/YwFSguXI6I

— Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa (@CyDLeonesa) September 12, 2025

Ribeiro, the reigning PSL Footballer of the Season, recently declared himself a free agent despite having three years left on his contract with the South African champions. The 26-year-old attacker, who attracted interest from Brazilian side Fluminense and Qatar SC, claims both deals fell through due to Sundowns’ “unreasonable” valuation of him. As a result, he has referred the matter to the FIFA Tribunal.

Ribeiro’s move follows a stellar season in which he swept the PSL’s top individual honours, winning the Footballer of the Season, Players’ Player of the Season, Goal of the Season, and Golden Boot awards. His standout performances also earned him the Goal of the Tournament at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, cementing his status as one of the continent’s leading talents.

Meanwhile, just days before the signing was announced, prominent lawyer Jean-Louis Dupont told the Spanish newspaper Heraldo de León that a verdict in the case is expected imminently. Dupont expressed confidence that FIFA regulations, in light of the Diarra ruling, will allow the player to be registered with his new club, stating, “Mr. Ribeiro has very good options.” The final outcome of the dispute, however, remains to be seen.

Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa Statement on Ribeiro

“Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa has reached an agreement with Lucas Ribeiro for the player to join the club.  Lucas Ribeiro Costa [born in Saint Helena, 09/10/1998] is an attacking footballer who has developed his football career in countries such as Brazil, France, and Belgium.

“In his most recent spell, he played for Mamelodi Sundowns FC in South Africa. He joins León as a free agent on a one-year deal. Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa welcomes Lucas Ribeiro to our club and wishes him every success in his new role in León.”

🇧🇷 ¡Bienvenido Lucas! #AúpaCultu | #UnoDeLosNuestros pic.twitter.com/5n3tYMc88S

— Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa (@CyDLeonesa) September 12, 2025

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