Striker Guilherme, aged 30, is close to leaving Santos and transferring to Houston Dynamo, from Major League Soccer. Negotiations have advanced in recent days, with the North American club increasing the initial offer to US$2.1 million (around R$11 million). The deal only depends on the signing of documents to be made official, and the player must play in MLS from January 2026.
Guilherme played two seasons for Peixe, with 95 games, 28 goals and 19 assists. Ele was the team’s top scorer in 2025, with 14 goals in 48 matches, and contributed to access to Série A in 2024. The departure represents a financial relief for Santos, which plans to balance its accounts after a year of challenges.
🚨GUILHERME SERA LE NOUVEL ATTAQUANT D’HOUSTON DYNAMO.✈️🇺🇸
—Zone MLS FR (@MLS_fra)December 12, 2025
Santos FC receives 2.1M$ from this transaction.💶
L’attaquant brésilien aura un status de Joueur Désigné, et touchera l’un des salaires les plus élevés de l’effectif.🤑
(@ocrismoraes)#MLS | #HoldItDown pic.twitter.com/HoHEA9PmyD
Agreement as Designated Player
Houston Dynamo plans to register Guilherme as Designated Player (DP), a category reserved for athletes with salaries above the league ceiling. Cada MLS club can have up to three DPs, and the status guarantees that the Brazilian occupies one of the vacancies reserved for high-impact players.
This condition places Guilherme among the highest paid athletes on the Texan squad. The club shows confidence in the attacker’s potential to become a central player in the attack.
The bet on the Brazilian is part of Houston Dynamo’s strategy to raise the competitive level next season. Guilherme arrives with the mission of taking on a leading role in the team.
Trading details
Houston Dynamo’s initial proposal was around US$1.7 million (R$9.2 million), but Santos managed to value the business to US$2.1 million. The São Paulo club maintained 50% of the player’s economic rights after the purchase in 2023, which increases the gain in the operation.
Grêmio, Guilherme’s former club, will also receive a share of the transfer, around US$340,000 (R$1.8 million), for maintaining 20% of the economic rights in the previous negotiation. The transaction prevents the player from signing a pre-contract from June 2026.
Guilherme communicated to the Santos board of directors his desire to accept the offer. The verbal agreement between the parties has already been reached, and the attacker must travel at Estados Unidos for medical examinations and final signature.
Impact on Santos
The sale generates important revenue for Santos, which seeks to balance its cash flow after a deficit in 2025. The departure of Guilherme makes room for possible reinforcements in 2026 and reduces the payroll.
The black and white club plans to reformulate the squad, with a focus on permanent sales. The board fulfilled its commitment not to hinder the transfer, after the player remained until the end of Brasileirão to help him stay at Série A.
Recent trajectory of Guilherme
Guilherme arrived at Santos at the end of 2023, in an operation that involved exchanging the Dodi steering wheel and loaning Soteldo to Grêmio. Ele stood out in winning the Série B of 2024 and in the artillery of the Paulistão of 2025.
In the Brasileirão of 2025, the striker played 32 of the 38 games, scored four goals and made seven assists. Ele was decisive in the final stretch, with five assists in the last four games.
Perspective on Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo has Brazilians in its squad, such as defender Antônio Carlos and midfielder Artur. The arrival of Guilherme increases the presence of Brasil players on the Texan team.
The club sees the striker as a key piece for the sporting project. Guilherme will have the opportunity to adapt to American football and contribute to his offensive style of play.
The deal reinforces the trend of Brazilians migrating to MLS in search of new professional experiences.
