The Rodinei-Santos case appears to be in its final stages, with reports in Brazil now presenting the agreement between the two sides as a done deal, leaving essentially only the release of the 34-year-old right back from Olympiacos to be finalized.
Following initial reports that the player was very close to returning to Brazil, the latest reports indicate that Rodinei has reached an agreement with Santos on a contract that will run through December 2027. The Brazilian club has essentially finalized most of the agreement with the player and is now waiting for the matter with Olympiacos to be definitively resolved.
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Rodinei is under contract with the “Red-and-Whites” through the summer of 2027; however, reports from Brazil indicate that discussions regarding the termination of his contract are at an advanced stage. In fact, there is optimism that the process could be finalized within the next few days, paving the way for an announcement from Santos.
The story has received extensive coverage in the Brazilian media, which report that the São Paulo club views the experienced fullback as a key addition to the right side of its defense. His experience in European soccer, as well as his knowledge of the Brazilian league, are two of the factors that played a decisive role in his selection.
Rodinei has been playing in Greece since 2023, when he left Flamengo to join Olympiacos. With the Piraeus-based club, he was a key part of the team and celebrated, among other achievements, winning the Conference League in 2024, etching his name into one of the most significant chapters in the club’s history.
In Brazil, of course, he remains particularly well-known for his time at Flamengo. In 2022, he was a member of the team that won both the Copa Libertadores and the Brazilian Cup, and he was the one who scored the decisive penalty kick in the Cup final against Corinthians.
Santos believes that his signing will significantly strengthen a position where the club was seeking greater stability and more options. Rodinei can contribute both defensively and in building play from the right flank, with speed, strength, and his ability to drive forward being his key attributes.
Reports in the country suggest this move has already garnered positive reactions among Santos fans, while there is a belief that his presence could add greater depth and quality to the roster. At the same time, Neymar’s presence at the club adds even more interest to the possibility of Rodinei’s return to Brazilian soccer.
*photo source: KYPE
