Santos Football Club has strengthened its squad by acquiring midfielder Thaciano from Bahia. The 29-year-old player inked a contract that extends until the end of 2028.
This move marks Thaciano’s return to Santos, where he previously played for the B team. Thaciano’s arrival adds depth to Santos’ midfield. He joins after a productive season at Bahia, where he featured in 60 matches.
The midfielder started 54 games, scoring 15 goals and providing five assists. These numbers highlight his potential impact for Santos. The club wasted no time in registering Thaciano. He is now eligible to play under coach Pedro Caixinha’s guidance.
Thaciano had already been training with the squad before the official announcement. This early integration could prove beneficial for team chemistry. Thaciano’s career has seen him play for several clubs.
He has experience with Grêmio, Turkish side Altay, and Boa Esporte. His first stint at Santos in 2016-2017 was brief and limited to the B team. Now, he returns with more experience and a chance to prove himself at the top level.
Santos FC’s Ambitious 2025 Season
Santos has been active in the transfer market. Thaciano is their fourth signing for the 2025 season. The club has also brought in defenders Luisão and Zé Ivaldo, along with right-back Leo Godoy.
Rumors suggest that strikers Tiquinho Soares and Álvaro Barreal may soon join the ranks. The timing of Thaciano’s arrival is crucial. Santos kicks off their 2025 campaign on Thursday against Mirassol in the Campeonato Paulista.
The match will take place at Vila Belmiro stadium at 21:30 local time. Fans eagerly await to see if Thaciano will make his debut in this opening fixture. This signing reflects Santos’ ambition for the upcoming season.
By securing experienced players like Thaciano, the club aims to compete at the highest level. The midfielder’s versatility and goal-scoring ability could prove valuable assets as Santos pursues success in various competitions.
Who Is Thaciano?
Thaciano Soares (born May 12, 1995, in Campina Grande, Paraíba) is a Brazilian attacking midfielder who plays for Santos FC. A late bloomer who became Bahia’s top scorer in 2024, he returned to Santos — the club where he spent a youth loan spell in 2016 — in January 2025.
- Position: Attacking midfielder, also used as a second striker
- Career path: Porto-PE → Grêmio → Altay (Turkey) → Boa Esporte → Bahia → Santos
- Bahia 2024: 60 matches, 15 goals, 5 assists — the club’s top scorer that season
- Santos: Signed January 2025 for a fee reported around €4.5 million; contract until the end of 2028
From Paraíba to the Turkish League and Back
Thaciano’s route to the top was anything but direct. Formed in Brazil’s northeast, he had a youth loan spell at Santos in 2016 that was limited to the B team, then built his career through Grêmio’s structure, a stint in Turkey with Altay, and Boa Esporte before landing at Bahia.
It was in Salvador that he exploded. In the 2024 season he played 60 matches for Bahia, scoring 15 goals and providing five assists — finishing as the club’s top scorer from midfield and earning a place among the Brasileirão’s most productive attacking midfielders. That season made him a transfer target for bigger clubs, and Santos moved first.
The Return to Santos
Santos announced the signing in January 2025, paying a fee reported at around €4.5 million and tying the then-29-year-old to a contract until the end of 2028. For Thaciano it closed a circle: the club where he had once played only B-team football now signed him as a headline reinforcement — their fourth for the 2025 season, alongside defenders Luisão and Zé Ivaldo and right-back Leo Godoy.
Thaciano at Santos in 2026
The 2026 season finds Thaciano in a star-studded Santos squad that includes Neymar and Gabigol. His role has oscillated between the starting eleven and the bench, and Brazilian outlet UOL wrote in January 2026 that the midfielder “needs to prove his worth” this season to secure his long-term place. Injury layoffs during the 2026 Campeonato Paulista interrupted his rhythm, but he remains part of the club’s core midfield rotation.
Santos in 2026: Turbulence Around the Team
The club context has been anything but calm. Santos changed coaches mid-season, with Cuca taking over around July 2026 after the departure of Juan Pablo Vojvoda. Off the pitch, the club has dealt with transfer bans imposed over unpaid installments for defender João Basso — a recurring symptom of its tight finances. On the continental stage, Santos reached the Copa Sudamericana playoffs in July 2026, drawn against Universidad Central of Venezuela.
For Thaciano, the equation is simple: in a squad built around Neymar’s star power, consistent goals and assists from midfield are his currency. His contract runs to 2028 — long enough to turn a promising return into a defining chapter.
Who is Thaciano?
Thaciano Soares is a Brazilian attacking midfielder, born May 12, 1995, in Campina Grande, who plays for Santos FC. He was Bahia’s top scorer in 2024 with 15 goals in 60 matches before joining Santos in January 2025.
How much did Santos pay for Thaciano?
The transfer from Bahia in January 2025 was reported at around €4.5 million. His contract with Santos runs until the end of 2028.
Which clubs has Thaciano played for?
His career path runs through Porto-PE, Grêmio, Altay in Turkey, Boa Esporte, Bahia and Santos — where he had already spent a youth loan spell with the B team in 2016.
Does Thaciano play with Neymar?
Yes. The 2026 Santos squad includes both Neymar and Gabigol, with Thaciano rotating between the starting eleven and the bench in midfield.
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This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
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