FC Porto Transfer Market: Former B Team Captain Officially Joins Dutch Side

It's now official: Gabriel Brás is set to continue his career in the Netherlands. The 22-year-old center-back departs FC Porto, joining NEC on a season-long loan. The deal includes a €100,000 loan fee and a €1.25 million option to buy 50% of his economic rights, confirming information recently reported by A BOLA.

A Portuguese U21 international, Brás arrives at NEC after a career almost exclusively tied to the Dragons. He accumulated 79 appearances for the B team, never making an official debut for the senior squad. Last season, he captained the blue and white's secondary formation.

The right-footed defender, however, did participate in Francesco Farioli's pre-season training, including the camp held in England. His absence from FC Porto B's squad list against Lourosa in the Liga 2's opening match served as a further indication of his imminent departure.

In the Netherlands, Brás will wear the number 73 jersey and now has the opportunity to take a new step in his career, seeking to gain experience in a different competitive environment and establish himself away from the Estádio do Dragão.

NEC eliminated Olympiakos on Tuesday in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League and will face Bodo/Glimt in the play-off for a spot in the competition's league phase. Should they be knocked out by the Norwegians, they will enter the UEFA Europa League league phase.