Botafogo is close to announcing the signing of defender David Ricardo, from Ceará, a highlight of Series B. According to “ge”, the defender will cost 1.8 million dollars, around R$ 10.8 million reais. The announcement of the reinforcement should be in the next few days.
Ceará will maintain 20% of the player’s economic rights, entitling him to a portion of the value in the event of a future sale.
Ceará’s starter since 2022, David Ricardo made 46 appearances, three goals and one assist in the 2024 season. In Ceará’s debut against Tirol, on Saturday (18/01), in the Cearense Championship, Ricardo was not involved, but was in the box at the Presidente Vargas Stadium, in Fortaleza.
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Who is David Ricardo, defender that interests Botafogo
David Ricardo is born in Teresina, Piauí, and began his career at Fluminense-PI. In 2022, he arrived at Ceará Sporting Club, initially for the under-20 team.
After standing out in youth competitions, he was integrated into the professional team and played for the team in Série A 2022, the year in which the team from Ceará ended up relegated to the second division.
In 2023, he established himself as a starter in the Series B competition and was champion of the Copa do Nordeste. During the year, there were 47 games, three goals and one assist.
In 2024, David Ricardo took over the position again after an injury to Ramon Menezes. It didn’t take long for the defender to establish himself, despite the competition. He finished Série B as the team’s starter alongside João Pedro Tchoca, from Corinthians, who was on loan to Ceará.
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David Ricardo’s playing style
At 1.89m, David Ricardo’s strengths are defensive and offensive possession of the ball. The defender also stands out for his good mobility and, when he has freedom, he has good ball release.
Left-footed, he averaged 2.7 tackles per game in Series B and 0.3 dribbles conceded per game. He played 33 games in the second division and was a starter in all of them.
David Ricardo’s career titles
- Piauíense Under-20 Championship
- Piauí Championship
- Northeast Cup
- Ceará Championship
David Ricardo’s Clubs
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What are Botafogo’s reinforcements for 2025?
- Léo Linck (goalkeeper) – Bought from Athletico-PR for 1.8 million dollars (R$ 10.9 million).
- Jair (defender) – Bought from Santos for 12 million euros (R$ 74.7 million) plus transfer of Tiquinho Soares.
- David Ricardo (defender) – Deal closed between Botafogo and Ceará, with only the announcement remaining. Purchase for 1.8 million dollars (R$ 7.2 million)
Who can be Botafogo’s reinforcement for 2025?
- Marlon Gomes (midfielder) – Player wants to play for Botafogo, but Shakhtar Donetsk (UCR) rejected a proposal of 10 million euros (R$62.2 million). Alvinegro should make a new offer in the next few days.
- Bitello (midfielder) – Player’s salary has been agreed with Botafogo, which approached the purchase from Dynamo Moscow (RUS) after an offer of 18 million euros (R$ 112 million) plus bonuses.
- Cucho Hernandez (striker) – Botafogo presented a proposal, of an unknown value, to the Columbus Crew (USA). However, the Colombian player asked for R$4 million in salary per month and Alvinegro backed down.
Regarding the search for a new coach, Botafogo is active in the market, but the targets have been kept confidential since the refusal of André Jardine, from América-MEX, on January 5th.
How is the Botafogo team for 2025?
Taking into account the 4-2-3-1 system used in 2024, the current lineup would be: John; Vitinho, Bastos, Alexander Barboza and Alex Telles; Gregore and Marlon Freitas; Savarino, Matheus Martins(improvised on the right end) and Jeffinho; Igor Jesus. Coach: Carlos Leiria (coach of the under-23 team and team commander at the beginning of Carioca).
Botafogo’s next games
- Botafogo x Volta Redonda – 01/22 – 9:30 pm (Brasília time) – Campeonato Carioca
- Botafogo x Bangu – 01/26 – 6pm (Brasília time) – Campeonato Carioca
- Botafogo x Fluminense – 01/29 – 9:30 pm (Brasília time) – Campeonato Carioca
- Botafogo x Flamengo – 02/02 – 4pm (Brasília time) – Brazilian Super Cup
Botafogo’s last games: results
See below how Botafogo’s last games went.
- 18/01 – Sampaio Corrêa-RJ 2 x 1 Botafogo – Carioca Championship
- 14/01 – Botafogo 2 x 0 Portuguesa-RJ – Campeonato Carioca
- 11/01 – Botafogo 1 x 2 Maricá – Carioca Championship
