Alefe Santos managed only one substitute appearance in three years at Championship outfit Derby County after signing from Bristol Rovers.
There is something about the Brazilian nationality that conjures up excitement in football fans.
Although the nation of Jogo Bonito has been driven into the doldrums by Dunga’s safety-first sacrilege, the prospect of seal dribbles and flip flaps means supporters can’t help but daydream when their club signs a player from the South American party nation.
And although Sao Paolo-born midfielder Alefe Santos didn’t exactly follow the traditional Brazilian route by beginning his career in the youth ranks of Bristol Rovers, Derby County signing the 18-year-old in 2014 still elicited plenty of excitement.
Especially when you consider that they appeared to have pulled off quite the coup, nabbing him from under the noses of Premier League Hull City, the BBC reports.
However, three years on, it is fair to say most Derby fans will have forgotten Santos (below, far left) was even at the club. He’s only played once, after all, coming on for the final 20 minutes of a League Cup victory against Charlton Athletic in August 2014.
Since then, Santos has spent time on loan at Notts County and Eastleigh, sandwiching his duties for the Rams’ Under-23 side.
And while the versatile 22-year-old helped Derby lift the Under-21 Premier League Division Two title in 2016, that has not proved to be enough to save his career at Pride Park.
The Derby Telegraph claims that Santos has now been released by the club amid minimal fanfare or fuss.
Maybe not every Brazilian is destined to be a world beater.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
