Gloucester City’s new Brazilian winger Alefe Santos has promised to bring the Brazilian flair to the Tiger Turf
Moving to England when he was 12, starting his Professional career at Bristol Rovers where he would make 24 appearances ahead of getting a move to Derby in 2014. The Brazilian moved around the league set-up before signing for Gloucester.
Santos felt his prior relationships helped him: “The first week of training was very good to be fair, I know a few of the boys from previous clubs so it helps to adapt to how they want to play and how the team shapes up.”
Santos made 67 appearances for Chippenham Town the most he’s made for one club, getting seven goals and 20 assists in two-years.
The 28-year-old feels he brings something different: “I like to bring a lot of flair to the team, I’m a winger or a ten so I like to create more chances.
“Scoring has been an issue this season for squad so we need to create more, we have a good team but up top if we can score more we can get the wins the team deserve and the fans want.”
Football is ingrained into the Brazilian culture, the tricky winger and creative number 10 having a consistent production line for the Canary Squad, from Neymar, Jairzinho, Garrincha, Zico, and Pele.
The Brazilian feels there’s only one man he can base his game off: “I’ve always looked up to Ronaldinho, he’s one of the best Brazil has ever had.
“While I’m not as good as him, the flair he brings and chances he creates I want to bring that to the team.”
Santos has played up and down the football pyramid, with the likes of Notts County, Aldershot Town, Weymouth and he was most recently at Poole Town but found his feet the most under Mike Cook for Chippenham, getting 15 assists in the 21-22 season.
He feels he will adapt once again: “I’ve played a good few levels and the National League South is a bit different, but I know Cookie (Mike Cook) from a previous club.
“I know what he expects from me and he knows what I can add to the team and so do the boys.”
Santos was excited to hear of City’s interest: “I knew there was (an interest) quite early on so I kept in touch with Cookie (Mike Cook), I knew what he expected and I’m delighted to be here.”
Gloucester City manager Cook also had his say after the Brazilian’s debut: “I thought he was absolutely superb today, he is a very creative player.
“He won’t score as many as he should but he has a lot of assists and I’m happy to have him on board.”
