Official: Al-Ettifaq Duo Costa and Rodriguez Loaned to Cruzeiro

Al-Ettifaq and Neom have officially announced their agreement for the loan of duo João Costa and Luciano Rodriguez to Brazilian club Cruzeiro during the current summer transfer window. Neom has agreed to loan its Uruguayan forward Luciano Rodriguez to Cruzeiro for one season, 2026-2027, confirming the deal via its official account on "X" and wishing the player success in his new chapter. Rodriguez's loan comes after several clubs expressed interest in acquiring his services over the past weeks, as Neom's management had shown openness to considering offers for the player before settling on the Brazilian proposal. Meanwhile, Al-Ettifaq also announced the loan of its Portuguese player João Costa to Cruzeiro for one season, aiming to provide him with a new opportunity for greater participation. Costa joined Al-Ettifaq in the summer of 2024 from Italian club Roma, making 44 appearances for the team across various competitions, scoring four goals and providing five assists, leaving a clear attacking mark. These transfers reflect the ongoing growing relationships between Saudi clubs and Brazilian club Cruzeiro, as clubs aim to loan some of their players to give them more opportunities for participation and to gain further experience in the upcoming season.