Brazilian striker Brenner missed out on a January move to Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest but can now console himself with a reported £9 million switch to Serie A.
On Wednesday, FC Cincinatti confirmed one of the worst kept secrets in MLS football.
Brenner will finally cross the Atlantic when the summer transfer window officially opens on July 1st, joining Udinese for an initial fee in the region of £9 million.
“We’re extremely happy for Brenner that he’s able to make this move and play in one of the biggest leagues in Europe,” says Chris Albright, FC Cincinnati’s General Manager.
“This is a significant transfer for our club. And a testament to everything our staff has done in the past year and a half. Our ownership will continue to give us the resources to compete, and this transfer only adds to that commitment.”
Nottingham Forest missed out on Serie A-bound Brenner
23-year-old Brenner, who represented Brazil at youth level, scored 18 goals in the 2022 MLS season. Only Daniel Gazdag (Philadelphia Union), Sebastian Driussi (Austin FC), and Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC) netted more.
According to The Athletic, Brenner underwent his medical in Italy at the start of the week. He will stay at Cincinatti for the next few weeks before jetting out to the Dacia Arena.
Brenner, who caught the eye of Arsenal, Juventus and AC Milan during his time at Sao Paulo, could have joined compatriots Danilo and Gustavo Scarpa at Nottingham Forest during the January transfer window. That was, however, until problems with his work permit consigned Brenner to another few months in Ohio.
“As the talks kind of unfolded and the transfer wasn’t going to happen, there was frustration (from Brenner),” explained Pat Noonan,” FC Cincinnati’s head coach.
“I do (have concerns) because he’s an important part of our team. And, mentally, if you’re not in the right place, that’s tough.
“He’s got the disappointment. As a player, when you have this ambition, and you have this dream. (When) it doesn’t happen in the form that you wanted it to, how do you respond?”
Well, not particularly well, it seems. Brenner has scored only one goal in his first seven games at the start of the new campaign. Udinese will be demanding better than that when the striker finally arrives in Italy.
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