But the question on the lips of many Masandawana is … who? We take a look at The Brazilians’ latest potential foray into the South American market.
The 25-year-old is a mobile forward much in the mould of Lucas Ribeiro, not tall or particularly good in the air, but has pace and is good with the ball at his feet, but also a combative streak that at times goes too far.
He has played his entire career in Colombia so far, so a move out of that country will mean some adjustment is needed, something that has been hit and miss with Sundowns’ previous south American players.
For every one that settles well in South Africa, there have been others who have struggled to adapt outside of Latin America, whether it be lifestyle or on the pitch.
Born in Turbaco, he made his debut for Deportivo Pereira in 2021 and helped the club to the 2022 Colombian championship as they edged out his current side Independiente Medellín.
Just as a quirky aside, the top scorer for Deportivo Pereira that season was one Leonardo Castro, though not the player by the same name who was a hit at Sundowns and later Kaizer Chiefs between 2015 and 2022.
Leon moved the following season to Atlético Junior, but it proved a wrong fit and he did not score a single goal in 18 appearances.
Despite this, Independiente Medellín signed him based on his potential and he has delivered. He scored six goals in 10 games in the 2024 Copa Sudamericana, the South American version of the CAF Confederation Cup, but his side lost to Argentine side Lanus in a penalty shoot-out in the quarter-finals.
He does love a yellow card, with a whopping 73 in 151 starts in his career, far, far too high a ratio, to go with six red cards. He got 20 yellows in 34 starts in the Colombian league last season, which should be a red flag. Betway Premiership referees beware.
But he also managed 13 goals in those 34 league starts (and 40 appearances in all), and that is what Sundowns fans will want to focus on.
Through his professional career he has 48 goals in 151 starts and 215 appearances in total, one every three starts or so.
His last game for Independiente Medellín was the Colombian Cup final against Atletico Nacional, where his side lost 1-0 but he played the full 90 minutes.