Palmeiras has officially announced the signing of Argentine defender Alexander Barboza from Botafogo for approximately R$ 20 million. The 31-year-old has signed a contract that extends until December 2028, with an option for the club to extend for an additional year. Barboza is expected to make his debut after the World Cup when the transfer window reopens.

Barboza's Commitment to Palmeiras

Expressing his enthusiasm for this new chapter in Brazilian football, Barboza stated, “I’m very happy for this new experience in Brazilian football. I’m sure it will work out, I will work for that and I’m eager to start.” He assured fans, “You can be certain that I will represent you on every play, because I live football this way. As I said, I’m very happy and hope to bring you joy when I start playing.”

A Strong Career Background

Barboza began his career in the youth ranks of River Plate and has played for various clubs in Argentina. He joined Botafogo in early 2024 after a successful stint with Libertad in Paraguay, where he was instrumental in winning both the Libertadores and the Brasileirão titles that year. At Palmeiras, he will reunite with Marlon Freitas, a former captain of Botafogo who joined Palmeiras earlier this season.

Despite having a contract with Botafogo until December, Barboza and the club could not reach an agreement on a renewal. Facing significant financial and administrative challenges, Botafogo's SAF opted to sell the player to avoid losing him for free at the end of the year. At Palmeiras, Barboza will compete for a spot in the lineup alongside Gustavo Gómez, Murilo, Bruno Fuchs, and Benedetti. The club is also keeping an eye on Danilo, another player from Botafogo, who may not remain with the team.