
Latvia’s reigning football powerhouse, RFS, has announced the loan signing of promising Brazilian midfielder Vitinho from the well-known Brazilian club Atlético Mineiro. The agreement runs until the end of the current season and includes an option for RFS to make the move permanent.
The 20-year-old defensive midfielder, a product of Atlético Mineiro’s academy, has primarily featured for the club’s U20 side, where he amassed 38 appearances and scored nine goals. Despite his young age, Vitinho is seen as a player with significant potential on both ends of the pitch.
Vitinho’s arrival is set to strengthen RFS in the defensive midfield role – a position where changes have occurred early in the season. Initially, it was expected that Japanese newcomer Yukiyoshi Karashima would play a major role in this spot. However, so far, the Latvian national team player Dmitrijs Zelenkovs has secured a regular place in the starting lineup alongside experienced Serbian midfielder Stefan Panić.
Vitinho already has some European experience under his belt, having spent the 2023–2024 season on loan at Ukrainian Premier League side Dnipro-1. During his stint there, he made eight appearances, mostly as a substitute, before returning to Brazil. Additionally, he made his senior debut for Atlético Mineiro in Brazil’s Serie A last year, coming on late in a match against Botafogo, and was included in the first-team squad on 13 other occasions.
The young Brazilian is expected to arrive in Latvia shortly and could soon be in contention to make his debut for RFS. Last season’s Europa League participants, FC RFS, have started the Virsliga season with two wins from two matches. However, their latest victory came in dramatic fashion, as they secured a late winner against FS Jelgava during stoppage time. FC RFS will play their next match tomorrow, away against BFC Daugavpils.