Gabriel Pirani scored his first goal for San Diego FC last Wednesday, though it wasn't enough to avoid a 3-1 loss to the Portland Timbers at Providence Park. The Brazilian midfielder, who came through Santos' academy and later starred for Fluminense, found the net in the MLS clash but saw his side fall short.
"I'm happy to have scored my first goal for San Diego. Of course we'd have liked to leave the field with a different result, but we'll keep working to get back to picking up points in the MLS," Pirani said. "Individually, I've been feeling good at the start of this journey and I'm adapting more and more to the club and the squad. I'm sure this goal will be important to give me even more confidence and, above all, to allow me to keep helping the team on the pitch."
San Diego FC's move for Pirani could be worth up to $1 million in General Allocation Money. DC United received $350,000 guaranteed in 2026, with a further $650,000 available if the midfielder hits performance targets. Washington also kept a percentage of any future transfer fee.
Before the switch, Pirani spent three years with DC United after arriving on loan from Santos in July 2023. The club exercised its purchase option in early 2024 following a strong debut stretch. That season he played 36 games, scoring six goals with one **** ist, then followed up with eight goals and three **** ists in 29 matches the next year.
Pirani's path to MLS ran through Santos, Cuiabá and Fluminense. Developed in Santos' youth system, he made his professional debut in 2021 before a standout 2023 campaign with Fluminense, where he helped the club win the Taça Guanabara, the Campeonato Carioca and the Copa Libertadores.
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"I'm happy to have scored my first goal for San Diego. Of course we'd have liked to leave the field with a different result, but we'll keep working to get back to picking up points in the MLS," Pirani said. "Individually, I've been feeling good at the start of this journey and I'm adapting more and more to the club and the squad. I'm sure this goal will be important to give me even more confidence and, above all, to allow me to keep helping the team on the pitch."
San Diego FC's move for Pirani could be worth up to $1 million in General Allocation Money. DC United received $350,000 guaranteed in 2026, with a further $650,000 available if the midfielder hits performance targets. Washington also kept a percentage of any future transfer fee.
Before the switch, Pirani spent three years with DC United after arriving on loan from Santos in July 2023. The club exercised its purchase option in early 2024 following a strong debut stretch. That season he played 36 games, scoring six goals with one **** ist, then followed up with eight goals and three **** ists in 29 matches the next year.
Pirani's path to MLS ran through Santos, Cuiabá and Fluminense. Developed in Santos' youth system, he made his professional debut in 2021 before a standout 2023 campaign with Fluminense, where he helped the club win the Taça Guanabara, the Campeonato Carioca and the Copa Libertadores.
#club
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