Vasco da Gama have always produced a long list of talented young players; it’s part of their DNA.
From Philippe Coutinho to, most recently, Rayan, the Rio-based side have provided European clubs with some of the best talent to emerge from Brazil. But what became of Vasco’s five most expensive departures and how have they performed since leaving the Gigante da Colina?
The New Benchmark: Rayan (Bournemouth, 2026)
In a window where Bournemouth lost their talisman, Antoine Semenyo, the Cherries acted quickly to sign the 19-year-old for a reported total package worth up to £30.3m. The deal made him Bournemouth’s second-highest transfer fee and Vasco’s largest fee ever received.
After a breakout 2025 season in which he scored 14 goals in 34 appearances, Rayan was firmly on the radar of Europe’s elite. In what proved to be his final appearance for Vasco, he continued his fine form by scoring twice in a 4–2 victory in the 2026 Campeonato Carioca.
With a reported £87m (€100m) release clause now protecting his value, Bournemouth fans are eager to see him potentially make his debut this weekend away at the Molineux.
The Premier League Breakthrough: Andrey Santos (Chelsea, 2023)
At just 18 years old and having already made over 50 appearances for Vasco, Santos completed a £10.8m (€12.5m) move to West London. After pivotal development spells at Nottingham Forest and Strasbourg, where he scored 10 goals in 32 games under Liam Rosenior, Santos has started to see minutes in a Chelsea shirt.
This season, Santos has become a fixture in the Chelsea rotation, making 17 Premier League appearances so far. Following his standout performance in the Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal this month, he is now pushing for a regular starting spot.
Having proven his quality, Santos is currently breathing down the necks of Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández in the Blues’ midfield.
The Big Return: Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa / Juventus, 2017)
Douglas Luiz is the veteran of this list at 27. After leaving Vasco for Manchester City in a £10.4m (€12.0m) deal in 2017, he eventually found stardom at Aston Villa before a blockbuster £44.6m (€51.5m) move to Juventus in 2024.
However, his time in Turin stalled due to recurring muscle injuries. After a brief, injury-hit loan at Nottingham Forest in 2025, where he managed only 318 minutes, Luiz has made a sensational return to Villa Park.
He rejoined Aston Villa this week on a six-month loan with a £21.6m (€25m) obligation to buy. Tasked with covering for the injured Boubacar Kamara, Luiz is desperate to rediscover the world-class form he once showed under Unai Emery.
The Domestic Powerhouse: Paulinho (Palmeiras / Leverkusen, 2018)
Paulinho moved to Bayer Leverkusen in 2018 for £16m (€18.5m), but the winger never quite settled in Germany. After scoring just nine goals in five seasons, he returned to Brazil with Atlético Mineiro, where he was reborn—netting 50 goals in 120 games.
In January 2025, Palmeiras brought him back to the top of the market with a £15.6m (€18m) transfer. While his debut season at Palmeiras was disrupted by injury, the 25-year-old remains one of the most lethal attackers in the Brasileirão.
If Paulinho can maintain his fitness in 2026, he is widely expected to challenge for the league’s Golden Boot once again.
The European Constant: Marlon Gomes (Shakhtar Donetsk, 2024)
Marlon Gomes joined Shakhtar Donetsk in 2024 for an initial £10.4m (€12.0m), with a further £3.5m (€4m) in potential add-ons. Unlike others who have moved around, Gomes has provided stability in Ukraine.
He has established himself as a reliable rotation option in both domestic and European competition, recording nine goal contributions in 79 appearances. Despite minor calf issues early on, his tactical maturity and 90%+ passing accuracy have recently sparked scouting interest from several mid-table Bundesliga clubs.
The Verdict: A Mixed Bag of Results
Vasco da Gama’s record departures tell a story of raw talent exported early, with careers shaped by context and opportunity. While some, like Douglas Lui,z have come full circle, others, like Rayan, are just beginning their European journey.
What remains consistent is Vasco’s role as one of Brazil’s most reliable producers of elite-level footballers.