River Plate Signs Thiago Almada

Overview

• The transfer was confirmed Saturday by Atlético de Madrid and reported by multiple outlets as roughly €20 million for Almada’s move to River Plate.
• Botafogo kept 50% of Almada’s economic rights when he moved to Atlético and has a contractual minimum of about $10 million for any future sale.
• That 50% receivable was advanced to a financing fund in February 2025 in an €11.5 million deal that covered fees and taxes and redirected much of the proceeds to Lyon.
• John Textor, speaking for Botafogo/SAF, said the receivable advance was a routine financing and that the club already received the economic value through that structure.
• Because the receivable was ceded to creditors the payment from Atlético to Botafogo will likely flow to the fund and not boost the club’s immediate operating cash; observers should watch for contract enforcement or judicial steps tied to the SAF’s financing arrangements.