New York City Football Club (NYCFC) today announced that Midfielder Gabriel Pereira will join Qatar Stars League club Al-Rayyan SC.
The Brazilian Midfielder initially joined NYCFC prior to the 2021 MLS season from Brasileiro Série A club Corinthians. Pereira had an impressive first season with the ‘Boys in Blue’, scoring nine goals and providing four assists in 29 MLS appearances. He also started in the Club’s Campeones Cup victory and was shortlisted for the MLS Newcomer of the Year award. This season, Pereira has continued his strong form, recording six goals and three assists in 22 appearances.
NYCFC Sporting Director David Lee said: “Gabi made an immediate impact since joining the Club last season, and I’d like to thank him for his contributions to the team over the past year and a half. It’s been amazing to see how much he’s developed at such a young age since joining NYCFC, and I hope to see him continue his incredible trajectory.
“While we’re disappointed to see him leave midseason, we understand his desire to take this new opportunity in a new league. We plan to use the roster flexibility that Gabi’s departure gives us to continue our activity in the summer transfer window and bolster our current squad to help us finish the season strongly as we head towards the playoffs.”
NYCFC will receive an eight-figure fee for the transfer, making it one of the Club’s highest transfer fees in its history. Additionally, the Club will receive a sell-on percentage if Pereira is sold in the future.
Midfielder Gabriel Pereira said: “I made this decision with my family to continue my journey at Al-Rayyan. The Club also understood that this is a great opportunity for me, and I want to thank them for helping me with this decision.
I want to thank everyone at the Club and City Football Group for my time in New York. I have lived many incredible moments here. I’m very grateful to the Club and to all the fans for their support. The message I leave for the fans is one of gratitude for the support you have given me during my time here.”
Everyone at NYCFC would like to wish Gabriel all the best for the next step in his career.
Transaction: Midfielder Gabriel Pereira joins Al-Rayyan SC from New York City Football Club
