São Paulo Signs Left-Back Wendell, Former Porto Defender

São Paulo has secured the signing of 31-year-old left-back Wendell, who was previously with Porto (POR) and has received call-ups to the Brazilian National Team. The player, who also spent seven seasons at Bayer Leverkusen (GER), signed a contract until December 31, 2027.

“I’m very happy to be here because I was looking forward to this moment. I want to thank everyone for the messages I received on social media, and I hope to repay this support on the field. Let’s achieve victories and titles together,” said the full-back.

“Wendell is a high-quality player who will further strengthen our team. Our contact became closer during the Copa América, and now we will be together for a journey of hard work and victories,” stated São Paulo president Julio Casares.

“We continue working to make our squad stronger and more competitive, bringing in a player with extensive experience in Europe who is always on the radar of the Brazilian national team, with recent call-ups. Wendell arrives with great determination and will certainly help us a lot,” said football director Carlos Belmonte.

Wendell played in Brazil and abroad before going to São Paulo

Wendell Nascimento Borges was born in Fortaleza, Ceará, but began his football career in Paraná, playing for Iraty. His early performances caught the attention of Londrina, which signed him in 2011 and later loaned him to Paraná Clube the following year.

In 2013, upon returning to Londrina, Wendell was one of the standout players in the Paraná State Championship and was named the best left-back of the tournament.

After an impressive spell in Paraná football, he joined Grêmio, where he was named the best left-back in the 2014 Rio Grande do Sul State Championship and earned call-ups to Brazil’s U-20 national team. With the national squad, he won both the 2014 Toulon Tournament and the 2014 International Tournament in China.

(Top Photo: Erico Leoan / saopaulofc.net)