REINFORCEMENT IN THE AREA
Willian José arrived in Salvador over the weekend to undergo exams and sign a contract
Published on January 13, 2025 at 02:00
Willian José had a short life at Real Madrid, but he was successful in Spanish football Credit: Reproduction/Real Madrid
Bahia has a new reinforcement for the attack. Center forward Willian José arrived in Salvador last Saturday (11) to undergo medical examinations and sign a contract with the Squadron. The player was at Spartak Moscow, in Russia, and arrives at Tricolor to fight for the attacking reference position.
Still at the airport, he spoke about his expectation of returning to Brazil after almost ten years in Europe.
“I have very high expectations, happy and motivated for this adventure. It’s a new challenge in my career, after many years outside Brazil, it’s an additional challenge to wear the Bahia shirt and everything will be fine”, he began, before complete:
“After many years I will now work with Rogério [Ceni] as a coach. Let’s go upstairs. My expectation is to help the group.”
CHAMPION WITH CENI AND CHANCE AT REAL MADRID
A native of Porto Calvo, Willian José was revealed by Grêmio Barueri and also passed through Rio Preto before arriving at São Paulo. At the São Paulo club, the striker was a teammate of now coach Rogério Ceni.
Together, Willian José and Ceni won the Copa Sudamericana in 2012. São Paulo even eliminated Bahia in the Brazilian clash in the first phase of the competition. In the decision, the São Paulo tricolor beat Tigre, from Argentina. Willian started the second game of the decision, replacing Luís Fabiano, who was suspended.
After leaving São Paulo, the center forward spent time at Grêmio and Santos. In 2014, he was signed by Real Madrid, accredited by his good form in the Brazilian under-20 team, where he was South American and world champion. Initially, the Brazilian was integrated into the Merengue club’s B team, but he even played one match for the main team. He came on in the second half of the 2-0 defeat to Celta de Vigo, in the Spanish Championship.
His time at Real Madrid was short-lived, but it opened doors for the striker in Spain. Willian José built his career in the country, where he played for Zaragoza, Las Palmas, Real Sociedad and Real Betis.
The striker’s best moment was at Real Sociedad, where he scored 62 goals and provided 16 assists in 170 games over four and a half seasons. He also played for Wolverhampton, in England, and since last year he was at Spartak Moscow.
In Bahia, Willian José will fight for position with Luciano Rodríguez and Everaldo. The tricolor was in the market looking for a center forward. The club tried Paraguayan Pitta, from Cuiabá, but the conversation did not progress and the player signed with Red Bull Bragantino.
