New York City FC added some potential firepower on Tuesday, acquiring Brazilian forward Luighi Hanri Sousa Santos on loan from Campeonato Brasileiro Série A side Palmeiras.
The 20-year-old, simply known as Luighi, will be with the MLS club for the remainder of the 2026 season and the deal comes with an option to purchase his contract at the end of the season. NYCFC paid Palmeiras $300,000 for the loan, according to multiple reports, and should the club trigger its option to purchase Luighi’s contract, it would cost them $6 million, with the Brazilian club retaining 20 percent of his economic rights in any future sale.
Luighi was signed under MLS’ U22 Initiative and his contract with Palmeiras runs through December 2029.
“I’m really happy to be joining New York City FC,” Luighi said in a statement released by the club. “From the first conversation with the Club, I knew this was a great opportunity for me. I’m excited to work with the coaching staff, meet my new teammates, and continue developing as a player. I’ll give everything I have every day to help the team, and I’m looking forward to playing in front of the fans for the first time.”
Luighi arrives in the United States after scoring a pair of goals in 18 appearances across all competitions for Palmeiras this season, and after making 45 appearances and scoring 5 goals for the first team during his three years with the club.
The youngster has long been viewed as a player with plenty of potential to come out of Palmeiras’ youth academy, but hasn’t been able to fully ingrain himself with the first team since his promotion there in 2024.
Palmeiras is a name that American fans should recognize from last summer’s Club World Cup when it reached the quarterfinals of the tournament and became one of the clubs whose fans helped create an impressive environment on match days.
The club’s academy program has also produced a number of young stars, including Chelsea winger Estêvão.
Luighi has been a name bandied about before, when reports in 2024 indicated that English Premier League side Arsenal and Championship club Southampton attempted to sign him.
The young Brazilian will provide NYCFC with another option while star Alonso Martínez continues to recover from surgery on his ACL.
“We’re excited to welcome Luighi to New York City FC,” sporting director Todd Dunivant said in a statement. “Luighi adds another attacking threat to our front line, which will be crucial in the back half of the season.”
