Santos have officially cleared their FIFA transfer ban after Neymar's family sports marketing company, NR Sports, stepped in with a vital financial package, as reported by FootballTransfers. The financial assistance allowed the Brazilian club to settle an outstanding debt of around €2 million owed to Monaco relating to the 2023 transfer of midfielder Jean Lucas.
FIFA had previously imposed a three-window registration ban on Santos after the Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected the club's appeal. In an official statement, the club confirmed: "Santos FC have settled the Transfer Ban and are once again clear to operate in the transfer market. The operation was made possible thanks to the support of NR Sports, through which the Club received an immediate financial injection. In return, Santos FC and the company will jointly negotiate kit sponsorship inventory that has not yet been commercialised."
With the restriction lifted, Santos secured the registration of several new players. Midfielder Arthur Melo, who rescinded his contract with Juventus, joined on a deal running until December 2026. The club also completed the signing of winger Everton Cebolinha from Flamengo.
Everton confirmed Neymar's personal role in his decision, stating: "I was very close to signing in Russia, but the prospect of playing with Neymar was too tempting. I spoke to him and knew I had to go."
Additionally, playmaker Philippe Coutinho agreed to a short-term deal with Santos until the end of the season. Coutinho had been a free agent after his contract with Vasco da Gama was terminated in February. These additions provide a major boost to Santos as they navigate their domestic schedule and compete in the Copa Sudamericana, where they recently defeated Atletico Mineiro in the first leg of their quarter-final tie.
