Corinthians goalkeeper renews loan and awaits regularization to play for Shabab Al Ahli
By Ciro Hey | Central do Timão newsroom
Goalkeeper Matheus Donelli will remain in football in the United Arab Emirates until the end of 2026. Timão Central found that the player's loan to Shabab Al Ahli was renewed until December 31st of this year, as provided for in the agreement signed between the parties.
Donelli arrived in Emirati football in February this year in a negotiation initially structured for six months, but which contained a contractual trigger to extend the contract. The device was activated and guaranteed the goalkeeper's stay at the club until the end of the year.
Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians
In the current season, Shabab Al Ahli competed for the national league title, but finished in second place, ten points behind Al-Ain, champion of the competition. Despite this, the team secured a place in the next edition of the Asian Champions League. During the initial period of the loan, Donelli did not enter the field nor was he involved in official matches.
The situation, however, had already been predicted since his arrival in the United Arab Emirates, on February 7. The goalkeeper and his staff were aware that he could not act immediately due to local rules for the position.
In the United Arab Emirates, foreign goalkeepers must obtain a passport and the documentation required by local authorities to be registered and released for competitions. The process is considered bureaucratic and has been conducted by the athlete's staff in conjunction with the club.
While awaiting regularization, the 24-year-old goalkeeper goes through a process of adaptation to the new country, the club and local football. The expectation is that the situation will be resolved during the second half of the year, when the goalkeeper should start to be involved in Shabab Al Ahli's commitments.
Internally, the evaluation of the Brazilian is positive, and the club maintains the plan outlined since his arrival. In addition to the already guaranteed stay until December, there is the possibility of a definitive transfer at the end of the loan.
Revealed in Corinthians' youth categories, Donelli lost space in the professional squad last season and was looking for an opportunity to gain more minutes on the field and continue his career. His last call-up for a match came in the 1-0 victory over Vitória, in the 2025 Brazilian Championship. The goalkeeper has a contract with Corinthians until June 30, 2028.
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Source: Timao Central