Cruzeiro Secures Midfielder Gerson in €27 Million Transfer Until 2030
Cruzeiro completes a major signing of midfielder Gerson from Zenit on a contract until 2030 in a €27 million deal.
- • Gerson signed with Cruzeiro until the end of 2030.
- • The transfer fee was approximately 27 million euros plus bonuses.
- • Gerson had limited impact at Zenit due to injuries, playing only 12 matches.
- • He aims to regain visibility ahead of the World Cup with Cruzeiro.
Key details
Cruzeiro has officially announced the signing of Brazilian midfielder Gerson from Russian club Zenit, marking a significant transfer in early 2026. The 28-year-old midfielder signed a contract running until December 2030, with Cruzeiro paying approximately 27 million euros plus about 3 million euros in performance-based bonuses for the transfer.
Gerson arrived in Belo Horizonte on January 9, 2026, where he was warmly received by club officials and fans before undergoing medical examinations. He is set to join the team coached by Tite as soon as his registration clears with the Brazilian Football Confederation’s Daily Information Bulletin (BID). Gerson will wear the number 97 jersey for Cruzeiro.
Previously, Gerson had a promising career in Brazil with Flamengo, where he won prestigious titles including two Copa Libertadores trophies and three Brasileirão championships. However, his move to Zenit in mid-2025 came with challenges, as injuries limited his impact to just 12 matches and one goal. His contract with Zenit involved a release clause of 25 million euros, which Cruzeiro slightly exceeded to bring him back to Brazil.
The transfer underscores Gerson’s ambition to regain national team visibility ahead of the upcoming World Cup, having been overlooked for recent call-ups. Cruzeiro celebrated the signing with a creative social media campaign featuring a video styled after the video game Grand Theft Auto, highlighting Gerson's nickname "Coringa".
Gerson’s trajectory also includes stints at notable clubs such as Fluminense, Roma, Fiorentina, and Olympique de Marseille, adding depth and experience to Cruzeiro’s midfield. His return to Brazil is viewed as a strategic step to boost his career and contribute significantly to Cruzeiro’s ambitions domestically and beyond.
This high-profile transfer reflects Cruzeiro’s strong commitment to strengthening their squad, investing heavily in a player who brings skill, versatility, and leadership to the team.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (2)
Source comparison
Transfer fee
Sources report different amounts for Gerson's transfer fee
oliberal.com
"Cruzeiro paid around 27 million euros (approximately R$ 168.7 million) for his transfer."
oglobo.globo.com
"The deal is reported to be worth around 27 million euros (approximately R$ 176 million), including an additional 3 million euros in performance-based bonuses."
Why this matters: One source states the transfer fee is around 27 million euros, while the other claims it is the same amount but with additional performance-based bonuses, leading to a total of 30 million euros. This discrepancy affects the understanding of the financial details of the transfer.
Contract duration
Sources differ on when Gerson's contract with Cruzeiro was formally announced
oliberal.com
"The formal announcement was made after Gerson underwent medical examinations on Friday."
oglobo.globo.com
"The formal announcement of the transfer was made on Saturday after all bureaucratic details were finalized."
Why this matters: One source states the announcement was made on Friday after Gerson's arrival, while the other specifies it was made on Saturday after finalizing bureaucratic details. This difference could lead to confusion about the timeline of events surrounding the signing.