The twelve-year European stint for the Pitbull is complete, a move that could reshape Brazil’s top flight as a whole and influence the Brasileirao landscape.
Vasco da Gama has announced a new signing for the 2023 season: Gary Medel, 34, arriving from Bologna in Italy. The Chilean international becomes the third player to join Gigante da Colina during this transfer window. His contract with the Chilean national team runs through December 2024.
MEDel: THE CHILEAN CAPTAIN IN VASCO DA GAMA
Gary Medel’s signing details: cost, contract length, role, salary, and jersey number
Following a report from journalist Lucas Pedrosa about the admiral’s interest in the Chilean captain, Vasco da Gama moved rapidly to secure an agreement.
With Medel’s Bologna deal set to end on June 30, the player arrived in Rio de Janeiro in early July, with agent André Cury confirming his participation in the negotiation.
According to the report, on Friday the 23rd, the club’s board, along with the player and his representatives, finalized the salary baseline, terms, and a contract lasting 18 months, extending through the end of 2024.
Medel brings reliability to Vasco da Gama’s defensive line. He can operate as a sweeper, stopper, central defender in a back four, or even in a holding role in midfield. His most recognizable numbers, 17 and 5, will be associated with his prior teams, and it remains to be seen which shirt he will wear in the Brasileirao and in other competitions.
The midfielder-turned-defender left Universidad Católica for Boca Juniors and has since plied his trade across Europe since 2011. His journey includes stops at Sevilla, Cardiff City, Inter Milan, Beşiktaş, and Bologna, seasons that earned him broad recognition and consistency, though titles have often eluded him. His championship memories are most fondly tied to his homeland, where he won multiple domestic titles with the national team setup alongside his compatriots.
Vasco’s strategic move aims to strengthen the squad’s spine and bring international experience to a league known for its physical battles and tactical depth. Medel’s presence is expected to elevate defensive organization, leadership on the pitch, and a sharper competitive edge for a club chasing continental ambitions and domestic glory in a crowded Brazilian schedule. His leadership qualities and versatility position him as a crucial piece in a system that values adaptability and resilience across multiple defensive and midfield roles.
As the transfer window progresses, supporters and analysts will watch how Medel adapts to Brazilian football, how his role evolves in the coach’s plans, and how his leadership translates into the locker room and on the field. The move underscores Vasco da Gama’s intent to compete at the highest levels by integrating seasoned internationals who bring both skill and a winning mentality to the squad.
Note: This article presents a synthesis of announcements and reported details surrounding the signing, with attribution to contributing coverage from reporting outlets.