“It’s an opportunity I couldn’t pass up”

Sao Paulo complete the surprise signing of Northern Irish left-back Jamal Lewis from Newcastle United on an initial loan deal with an option to buy.

Sao Paulo have completed the surprise loan signing of left-back Jamal Lewis from Newcastle United.
The Northern Ireland international, who joined the Magpies four years ago for around £15m from Norwich City, has become the first British player to sign for the Brazilian giants.

Lewis struggled to establish himself as a first-team regular at Newcastle after penning a five-year deal in 2020, making just 36 appearances for Eddie Howe’s side across all competitions.

The 26-year-old last wore the black and white of Newcastle back in January 2023 and spent last season on loan at Championship club Watford where he featured 36 times in the second tier.

Lewis is now ready to embark on a fresh challenge and has joined Sao Paulo on an initial loan deal until the end of June 2025, with the Brazilian club having the option to make the move permanent.

Lewis ‘honoured’ to represent Sao Paulo

Speaking to Sao Paulo’s official website, Lewis said: “When I heard about this opportunity, I immediately told my agent that I wanted to come to Brazil.

“It’s an honour to play for a giant like Sao Paulo and to be the first British player in the club’s history. I’m really excited to play for a club that has won three World Cups.

“It’s an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I’m looking forward to meeting the fans and contributing to the team.”

Sao Paulo president Julio Casares added: “Jamal Lewis is a player with experience in one of the great centres of world football.

“A representative of the Northern Ireland national team, and with experience in important clubs in England, he can contribute a lot to the development of our squad, especially at such an important moment as the one we are experiencing.”

Belmonte: ‘Lewis has the characteristics we were looking for’
Football director Carlos Belmonte continued: “We used the creativity and assessments of our analysis team to come up with the name of Jamal Lewis, a full-back with the characteristics we were looking for.

“He is a young player with experience in English football, which certainly gives him important experience. He is another player who will strengthen our group in the three competitions we are competing in.”

Lewis joins a Sao Paulo side who currently sit sixth in the Brasileiro table, just three points behind the top four, and are in pursuit of qualification for the Copa Libertadores with 13 games left to play.

The left-back will now link up with Northern Ireland for their upcoming Nations League fixtures against Luxembourg and Bulgaria.

Lewis could make his debut for Sao Paulo when they face Atletico Mineiro in the second leg of their Copa do Brasil quarter-final on September 13.

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