Russian club spends over $31 million on Brazilian footballer
Zenit St. Petersburg has signed winger Luiz Henrique from Botafogo in a record-breaking transfer deal
The Zenit St. Petersburg football club has announced the signing of Brazilian winger Luiz Henrique from Botafogo in a deal reported to be the the most expensive in Russian football since early 2022.
The 24-year-old attacking midfielder is said to have signed a four-year contract with Zenit, with an option for extension. The player has reportedly already joined Zenit’s training camp in Qatar, where he has passed his medical exams.
Henrique’s transfer to Zenit, according to various reports, cost somewhere between €30-35 million ($31-36 million), making it one of the top five most expensive deals in the history of the Russian Premier League. Notably, eight out of ten of the most expensive players in Russian football have moved to Zenit, including Malcom from Barcelona, Hulk and Bruno Alves from Porto, Axel Witsel from Benfica, Yuri Alberto from Internacional, Leandro Paredes from Roma and Portugal’s Danny from Dinamo.
Луис Энрике — игрок «Зенита»!Контракт атакующего полузащитника сборной Бразилии с петербургским клубом действует по схеме 4+1.Футбольный клуб «Зенит» приветствует Луиса Энрике в Петербурге и желает новых побед и титулов в составе сине-бело-голубых! pic.twitter.com/qwyxYWFlp6
— ФК «Зенит» (@zenit_spb) January 20, 2025
Henrique played a crucial role in Botafogo’s recent campaigns, helping the club secure domestic and international successes. His strong performances in the Brazilian league and Copa Libertadores earned him the title of South America’s Best Player in 2024 and made him a sought-after talent in the transfer market.
As part of the transaction, Zenit midfielders Wendel and Artur will join Botafogo to strengthen their squad. Wendel is expected to complete his move after the current Russian season, while Artur will join immediately.
The deal is also expected to provide financial relief to Olympique Lyonnais, another club belonging to Botafogo’s owner, John Textor. Lyon has faced financial scrutiny from France’s football regulatory body, and the funds from Henrique’s sale are expected to help stabilize its finances.
