Former Barcelona and Brazil defender Dani Alves has completed arrangements to purchase Sporting Clube de São João de Ver, a club in the Portuguese third division, according to sources cited by ESPN Brazil’s Bruno Andrade.
At 42 years old, Alves is also contemplating signing a six-month contract to play for the club, as per insider reports.
This year, Alves had a prior rape conviction overturned on appeal in Spain.
The court determined that there was “insufficient evidence” to dismiss Alves’ presumption of innocence.
Alves has been inactive in competitive play since January 2023, when he was arrested in Barcelona for allegations of sexually assaulting a woman.
He spent time in jail from January 20, 2023, until March 2024, when he was released after posting bail of €1 million (approximately $1.2 million) while awaiting the appeal outcome.
After his release, Alves has been engaged in football behind the scenes, notably as an agent in Europe, while holding onto the aspiration of returning to play and pursuing his coaching credentials.
He has been training at home and is confident that he needs only 30 days to regain his fitness level to compete for his new club.
His last appearance on the pitch was on January 8, 2023, while playing for Liga MX‘s Pumas, who subsequently terminated his contract following his arrest.
Sources indicate that Alves has the backing of a group of Brazilian investors to facilitate the acquisition of Sporting Clube de São João de Ver, located in the Aveiro region, which currently includes three Brazilian players in its roster, including former Palmeiras winger Washington.