James Nalton

Editor and owner of The Botafogo Star. Author of Brazilian football column Sambafoot Sunday, and freelance football writer for various publications. Follow on Twitter

Mar 022013
 
Jadson to Sign for Udinese in August

Botafogo’s promising Brazil U20 midfielder Jadson, is set to join the Italian club Udinese in August for a fee of around £2m. Before he’s even had chance to feature in the stars of the future area on this site, let alone have a consistent stint in the starting XI for Botafogo, Udinese have picked up the the 19 year old for what could be a bargain price. Jadson is a volante, or defensive midfielder, who was […]

Feb 232013
 
Doria - Botafogo Stars of the Future

The ongoing series on Brazilian wonderkids begins with a look at Botafogo’s left sided centre back, Doria. Doria emerged at Botafogo in the 2012 season and immediately began to attract attention from clubs in Europe, particularly from the Italian clubs Juventus and Roma. Manchester City of the English Premier League also sent their scouts out to look at the player, and you can guarantee that a lot of other clubs will have investigated the buzz […]

Jan 272013
 
Philippe Coutinho signs for Liverpool

Pending a work permit, Philippe Coutinho will become Liverpool’s second signing of the 2013 January transfer window, but more importantly he’ll become Liverpool’s 5th ever Brazilian player and only the third outfield player to wear the famous red shirt. Early days at Vasco da Gama The signing of Coutinho has excited many Liverpool fans, but it has also been met with the usual scepticism from some quarters. This could be because there isn’t much to […]

Jan 192013
 
Brazil U20s Crash out of South American Youth Tournament

Botafogo’s three young stars, Doria, Bruno Mendes, and Jadson, will be retuning to the club early as the Brazil under 20 side were eliminated from the 2013 South American Youth Championships at the group stage. The squad went into the competition with high hopes, but it was evident from the first game that the team were lacking in shape, discipline, and attacking ideas. Doria played in all four games in this group stage, but was […]

Jan 182013
 
2013 Botafogo Squad Numbers Announced

Botafogo have announced their squad numbers for the forthcoming season, and in a show of faith to young Brazil under 20 star Bruno Mendes, they have decided that he will wear the number 7 shirt. As with many clubs, the number 7 shirt has extra significance as it was worn by numerous club legends, most notably in the case of Botafogo, it was worn by a player who epitomised Brazilian football – Mané Garrincha. The […]

Jan 102013
 
Rodrigo Defendi signs for Botafogo

Rodrigo Defendi has completed his move to Botofogo, after training with the club in their pre season camp prior to signing. Defendi was once on the books at Tottenham Hotspur as a youth, before moving to Italy with Udinese and Roma on loan from Spurs, and then Avelinos on a permanent basis. He had a spell at Palmeiras reserves, and then Paraná in the Campeonato Paranaense, before joining his last club Vitória Guimarães of Portugal. He commented on signing […]

Jan 052013
 
Botafogo Back in Training With 4 New Signings

The majority of the Botafogo players returned to trianing yesterday, with new signings Henrique, Amderson Aquino, Andre Bahia, and Julio Cesar taking part for the first time since their arrival this winter. Henrique and Anderson Aquino will bolster the attack, whilst left back Julio Cesar, and defender Andre Bahia will provide extra bodies in the back line. Former Sao Paulo player Henrique made stirs in the English media last summer when it was rumoured he would join […]

Dec 302012
 
Botafogo Brazilian U20 Stars Make the Cut

Brazil’s final squad for the Under 20 South American Championships has been announced, and all three of the Botafogo players in the initial provisional squad have been kept in. Defender Doria has been in the news lately, as his move to Juventus is an ongoing saga as negotiations about the fee continue between his various owners as well as Botafogo. Striker Bruno Mendes, and midfielder Jadson also retain their places in the squad, and Botafogo […]

Dec 252012
 
Doria Could Join Juventus

The transfer of Doria to Juventus could take place in the January transfer window, with the Italian club paying around 8m Euros for the central defender. 40% of the fee will go to Botafogo with the other 60% being shared out between third party owners Banco BMG, and a group private investors. The player, who has been selected of the Brazilian under 20 side for the upcoming South American Championships, could make the move from the Alvinegro […]

Dec 192012
 
Bruno Mendes Under Contract With Botafogo - For Now

The continuing dispute over who holds the contract of new Brazil under 20 player Bruno Mendes has reached what might be a conclusion today, after his loan contract at Botafogo was reinstated by the CBF. As is often the case in the region, Mendes’ contract was subject to a squabble involving multiple parties, including his former club Guarani, the sports agency HAZ, his “development club” Macae in Rio, ex-Guarani defender Andrei (!), and his current […]